Ahmadinejad set for a downfall tomorrow!

[GHook93]

Commentary: Ahmadinejad's problem with women - CNN.com
Commentary: Ahmadinejad's problem with women - CNN.com

Couldn't happen to a bigger d%^&che bag. It appears the women will vote this guy out. The day he loses which is Friday, Obama should send his congratulation to Hossein Mousavi and plan the first American head of state visit to Iran!

Mousavi seems like the real deal! He seems like the guy would can be a true peace partner. America should not pass up another chance like they did when Khatami was at the helm!

[RickSp]

Alamnutjob? What insightful analysis. Not.

If Ahmadinejad loses, less will change than most think. If Ahmadinejad is re-elected he still will have negligible real power regarding foreign policy, as is the case now.

[Yarn]

RickSp:

If Ahmadinejad is re-elected he still will have negligible real power regarding foreign policy, as is the case now.

That hasn't stoped him from making a lot of noise and playing a big role in determining the image of Iran abroad.

I don't disagree that even if Mousavi wins Iran will continue to support Hamas and Hezbollah, to enjoy only limited freedom of speech, and to have a medley of morality laws that we, and to a lesser extent some of the Iranians themselves, find abhorent. But if Mousavi won it would be a step in the right direction. And he is for the mitigation of the latter two problems.

Most Iranians want a better relationship with the US, and even want the office of Supreme Leader to be a democratically elected. Iranian youth make up a third of Iran's population and are substantially more liberal than their elders.
- Poll: Iranians Desire Democracy and Reform - Talk Radio News Service (unfortunately, this poll compilation slates Ahmadinejad as being likely to win the election)

A Mousavi victory wouldn't make Iran as agreeable to us as say western Europe, but it would bode well for our mutual relationship and our interests.

Both Russian and American intelligence agencies report that Iran has no nuclear weapons program. Most Iranians (around 70% if I recall correctly) are against their country procuring nuclear weapons. The Ayatollah claims nuclear weapons are unislamic. Given all of this, it is plausible that Mousavi's idea of Iran accepting stricter monitoring of its nuclear facilities in exchange for our removal of the economic sanctions might succeed in getting implemented if he were elected.

One of the Iranians main motivations for establishing a better relationship with us is the economic benefits of them doing so. While meanwhile, our problems with them have primarily to do with their nuclear weapons, support for terrorists and the shiite militias, and their internal affairs. Likewise, they want us to withdraw from Iraq and stop supporting Israel.

We each could gain some concessions on what we each respectively want, and in promoting greater exchange and understanding between us we can reduce the enmity the exists between us and so improve the agreeability of Iran towards us in the long term.

[The Black Ghost]

Remember that many, if not most, Iranian women wont really get the chance to vote. Whether or not it is publically allowed is one thing--whether husbands, religious leaders, family, friends, and gangs outside polling stations allow it is another.

[tinybear]

I'm just worried that conservative men who support Ahmadinejad will try to deter women from voting.

[RickSp]

Quote by: Yarn RickSp: That hasn't stoped him from making a lot of noise and playing a big role in determining the image of Iran abroad. I don't disagree that even if Mousavi wins Iran will continue to support Hamas and Hezbollah, to enjoy only limited freedom of speech, and to have a medley of morality laws that we, and to a lesser extent some of the Iranians themselves, find abhorent. But if Mousavi won it would be a step in the right direction. And he is for the mitigation of the latter two problems..

I agree that a win by Mousavi would be a significant improvement. The real change in foreign policy might be that the right wingers will not have Ahmadinejad to demonize anymore. He is the poster child for those who want to start the next war.

Mousavi will also no doubt be able to exert pressure on the theocracy to ease social restraints somewhat with in the country. That being said Iranian foreign policy and plans on developing nuclear power plants are not likely to significantly change regardless of the outcome of today's elections.

[RickSp]

There is an unintentionally funny opinion piece in today's NYTimes by Bush neo-con war-monger and convicted felon, Elliot Abrams, who is bemoaning the possible loss by Ahmadinejad, which would make another war somewhat less likely.

The funny bit is that after the neo-cons have demonized the Iraqi President Ahmadinejad only to have it pointed out that the preident of Iraq has no real power over foriegn policy, Abrams is making exactly the same point now that his favorite whipping boy just might lose the election.

Lebanon’s Triumph, Iran’s Travesty

Mr. Ahmadinejad’s defeat would probably be welcomed abroad as a sign that Iran is moving away from his policies, but Iran’s policies aren’t his — they are dictated by Ayatollah Khamenei and his supporters in the Revolutionary Guard and Basij paramilitary. In fact, a victory by Mr. Ahmadinejad’s main challenger, Mir Hussein Moussavi, is more likely to change Western policy toward Iran than to change Iran’s own conduct.

Gee Elliot really?

[GHook93]

Quote by: RickSp Alamnutjob? What insightful analysis. Not.

Wow same old little Ricky, not much has changed in few years!

Quote by: RickSp If Ahmadinejad loses, less will change than most think. If Ahmadinejad is re-elected he still will have negligible real power regarding foreign policy, as is the case now.

True the buck stops with the Ayatollahs, but policy is negotiated, made and implemented by the politicians! Khamenei is not as hands on as you give him credit for! I have no doubt Hussein Moussavi will tone down the war-drums in Iran and meaningful dialog between America and Iran will take place! If Alamnutjob wins expect more of the same and the threat of war becoming more of a reality!

[RickSp]

Right-Wing Neocons Rooting For Ahmadinejad Win

American neoconservatives have often used the presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to bolster their case for aggressive action against Iran. So the assumption might be that they would be rooting for Iranians to take care of the problem themselves by electing reformer Mir Hossein Mousavi in today's vote.. Instead, they're rooting for the anti-American bogeyman to stay in power.

A real rogues gallery - Daniel Pipes, Michael Rubin, Martin Peretz, Ilan Berman in addition to Elliot Abrams.

[tinybear]

So Rick, being the antithesis of a neo-con, I bet you're rooting for a Mousavi win, right?

[GHook93]

Quote by: RickSp Right-Wing Neocons Rooting For Ahmadinejad Win A real rogues gallery - Daniel Pipes, Michael Rubin, Martin Peretz, Ilan Berman in addition to Elliot Abrams.

Wow a Huffington Post article bashing the right. Whowouldhavethunk!

Why not listen to Rush, Hannity, Medved, Levin and the rest of the righwingers who are rooting for Alamnutjob's downfall!

Honestly its the leftwingers that are rooting for Alamnutjob, because he is an icon to you.

[RickSp]

Quote by: GHook93 Honestly its the leftwingers that are rooting for Alamnutjob, because he is an icon to you.

Stupid and insulting. Yup that's Ghook.

[tinybear]

Pray for a Mousavi win, Rick. Change must come to Iran, as it has to America!!!

[tinybear]

Latest Update:

With the race too close to call, a top election official predicted turnout could surpass the nearly 80 percent in the election 12 years ago that brought President Mohammad Khatami to power and began the pro-reform movement.

A strong turnout could boost Mousavi. He is counting on under-30s, who account for about a third of Iran's 46.2 million eligible voters.

Even before the vote was over, Mousavi's ally Khatami predicted victory.

"All indications suggest that Mousavi has won," he told reporters.

In Tehran's affluent northern districts — strongly backing Mousavi — voters waited for up to an hour to cast ballots. Mahdi Hosseini, a university student, blasted the firebrand Ahmadinejad for "degrading Iran's image in the eyes of the world."

Ahmadinejad brought Iran international condemnation by repeatedly questioning the Holocaust.

Iran vote extended with turnout massive - Yahoo! News

[tinybear]

Wow, they are really desperate now.

Iran presidential challenger's office attacked

Saeed Shariati, head of Mousavi's youth cyber campaign, said Ahmadinejad supporters attacked his office in north Tehran with tear gas. He said police quickly dispersed the group. There was not independent confirmation of the attack.

The cyber campaign ran several Web sites and Facebook pages supporting Mousavi. Authorities blocked at least three of them Friday.

Iran presidential challenger's office attacked - Yahoo! News