all we need is one major break over there to put this insurgency on the decline - a zarqawi capture, s few incidents where the iraqi forces/police actually repel some attacks and blow the insurgents away. just one break, and we can snap this thing. once the trend is in place, it will feed on itself, and then we will know that an election can be sensibly scheduled and conducted.
I heard that a number of Sunni groups have now announced they will join the elections--and are presently fielding candidates. Have you heard anything about this? I wonder how widespread that movement is? It would be a very good sign indeed.