MSNBC: A relative unknown leads challenge in Iran.

[Tarheel_Dem]

A relative unknown leads challenge in Iran

Key opponent, a revolution-era prime minister, takes on Ahmadinejad

By Thomas Erdbrink
updated 12:00 a.m. ET, Mon., June 8, 2009



TEHRAN, June 7 - The main challenger to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Friday's presidential election is a relatively unknown candidate who says he joined the race to save Iran from his opponent's "destructive" policies.

Mir Hossein Mousavi, 67, who served as prime minister in the early years of the Islamic revolution, had stayed away from politics for the past 20 years. But he entered the race on a main promise to stand up to Ahmadinejad, which has earned him the support of influential clerics, politicians and young people alike.

Each night, tens of thousands of youths gather in Tehran's main squares to cheer their support for a man who just a month ago they barely knew by name. Mousavi has emerged as the only serious alternative for those who oppose the policies of Ahmadinejad, who has the support a small group of hard-line clerics and some influential members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31158494

Sounds as if the youth may be leading the charge against Ahmadinejad. I hope Mr. Mousavi has round the clock protection. <Fingers Crossed>.

[dipsydoodle]

1. Their elections

are also likely to be biased by women who are allowed to vote in Iran - unlike some other countries. I mention that because his wife is also very popular and has been out campaigning with him.

Candidate’s wife a new political star in Iran : http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30968206

[Tarheel_Dem]

3. Thanks for posting that. Great catch. (nt)

[quantass]

2. Here's hoping Obama and others come out to support

this man (assuming his policies are tight -- hey at least he's better than the alternative) so that his supporters can be even more energized to trun out to vote.

[Ken Burch]

4. An Obama or other "Western" endorsement would be the kiss of death to the guy

(...perhaps literally as well as politically...)

They need to stay out of it.

What would really help would be if Rush or Bill-O endorsed Ahmadinejad.

[Fluffdaddy]

7. You got that right

[JI7]

5. the pics and videos of this campaign is really fascinating to see

i find Iranian Muslims in America to be more liberal than Muslims in other parts. and i think this is probably true of many in Iran also.

[BolivarianHero]

6. Makes sense...

A lot of people who supported the Iranian Revolution were leftists who were oppressed by the Shah and betrayed by the wackos.

[ClarkUSA]

8. Guess this makes Iran a democracy.

[Fluffdaddy]

9. Hummm that would be pushing it

Ali Khamenei is still the big dog on the porch

[ClarkUSA]

11. That's why I said "guess". It's a hybrid democracy/theocracy found nowhere else in the world.

Anyway, the debate was quite democratic.

[Tarheel_Dem]

10. It's a really weird setup. Apparently, the president has little control, other..

than being a figurehead (sorta like Bush was to Cheney).

[ClarkUSA]

12. It is, although this challenger was a PM during the early days of the Revolution...

... and has influential clerics and parlimentarians on his side, as well as a activist grassroots movement wanting CHANGE.

[Tarheel_Dem]

15. Thanks Clark, I'm off to see what else I can dig up on him. This has me..

really excited, especially given the news of the Lebanese elections. It may be premature to give our president too much credit, but I'd like to think he's playing some small part in opening eyes in the Muslim world.
:woohoo:

[ClarkUSA]

16. News stories are already calling the Lebanon vote outcome part of "The Obama Effect"...

Link: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8456912&mesg_id=8456912

President Obama's Cairo speech was well-timed to influence the Iranian election vote outcome, too. If you listened to the debate, you could hear that the reform candidate former PM Mousavi was channelling our guy's message to a T. :)

[Tarheel_Dem]

17. I read that post, and I'm ecstatic about it. I think we may be finally..

beginning to at least compete in the message wars, and I'm hoping that the president's message is truly changing hearts & minds.

[ClarkUSA]

18. Unlike previous presidents, President Obama inspires nations outside this country to do their best.

His background, sincerity, balanced approach and sheer audacity of his hope for ME peace is overwhelming the usual anger and cynicism that pervades politics in that region.

[Tarheel_Dem]

19. Agreed. And I don't think anyone can legitimately question his sincerity.

I don't think he would have taken this issue head-on, so early in his administration, if he weren't sincere about bringing meaningful change to that region.

[babylonsister]

13. There was a decent show on Iran yesterday. 3/4's of the population

there are under the age of 30. I'm rooting for Mir Hossein Mousavi! :thumbsup:

(The show was a Dateline special/nbc)

[Tarheel_Dem]

14. Crap. I'm sorry I missed that. I'm gonna root around the nbc website..

to see if I can watch it online. Thanks for the headsup.