And how did the article make Sully feel?

This would be a far more believable argument if there had ever been any evidence that US policy was genuinely interested in democracy building in the Middle East (or anywhere else for that matter). The administration was dragged kicking and screaming into Iraqi elections after several failed attempts to prevent them from happening. The propaganda masters then claimed all credit for it happening. Even then they have shown utter contempt for a democratic Iraq. EVERY political party campaigned on a platform of an immediate withdrawal of occupying troops, yet as soon as the election was over Bush and Blair in unison proclaimed a withdrawal schedule was not on the table. There is little interest in democracy here, a lot of interest in oil…

Huh? I remember the evil Chimpy McHitlerburton stating all along that the elections would occur on schedule, while the liberal intelligentsia stating that the US needed to make Iraq more secure first, plus pull out at the same time.
And I'm so glad we're getting all that oil out of Iraq. I just love paying $0.25 a gallon.

Words from Dick Cheney himself to the Institute for Petroleum, circa 1999:

"Oil is unique in that it is so strategic in nature. We are not talking about soapflakes or leisurewear here. Energy is truly fundamental to the world’s economy. The Gulf War was a reflection of that reality. The degree of government involvement also makes oil a unique commodity. This is true in both the overwhelming control of oil resources by national oil companies and governments as well as in the consuming nations where oil products are heavily taxed and regulated."

No reason to think he believes any differently now, or that it wasn't a major consideration when going to war.