As the USA exits Iraq, the 'original' leadership at the beginning of the democracy finds a majority.

It is the 'same game,' with the 'same players.' Some things never change. We are leaving Iraq in the same state is has been for the entire occupation by the Coalition forces. We have over stayed our welcome.

FILE - In this Saturday, May 2, 2009 file photo, Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr is followed by security agents as he leaves his hotel in Istanbul, Turkey. Anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr called Tuesday, March 30, 2010 for a referendum in Iraq on who will be the prime minister, according to a statement posted on his Web site - a move that adds to the political chaos following the country's March 7 parliamentary elections. (AP Photo/Ibrahim Usta, File)

Division among Iraq's Shiites good news for Allawi (click title to entry - thank you)

12:00 AM CDT on Saturday, April 3, 2010
Elizabeth A. Kennedy, The Associated Press

BAGHDAD – When the coalition led by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki narrowly lost at the polls, he raised the prospect that he could pull ahead by gaining the support of other Shiite-dominated alliances. Since then, the largest of those groups have been reaching out – but not to him.

Al-Maliki's secular challenger, Ayad Allawi, gained a significant advantage when he won the unexpected support of a major Iranian-linked Shiite party.

Allawi received support Thursday night from the Iranian-linked Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council – a stunning development because Allawi has been outspoken against the influence of Iran and religious parties.

Ammar al-Hakim, the leader of the Supreme Council, did not endorse anyone as prime minister but said he was open to an alliance with Allawi's Iraqiya list.

"We will not participate in the next government if Allawi's list is not in it," al-Hakim said in remarks broadcast late Thursday.

Allawi, a Shiite who was prime minister in 2004-05, appeared to be benefiting from stark divisions among Shiites despite purported efforts by Iran to push al-Maliki and his rivals into a coalition that could cement Shiite domination of the government....