In 2005, “Iraq held three democratic elections: a January [30] legislative election to draft a constitution; an October [15] countrywide referendum on a national constitution; and December [15] elections for a national assembly. Each produced moving images of Iraqis waving purple fingers, stained to show they had voted. Each election was marred by violence and terrorist threats. But the overall thrust of them was positive and indicated that perhaps Iraq was on a good path. Turnout was high, with even disaffected Sunnis voting more heavily in each successive election.”
– Karl Rove, Courage and Consequence, Page 471