Best Article on Iran Election Process I've seen

[Lissa]

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/KF16Ak05.html

It is a lengthy discussion of how Rafsanjani is still a rival to Khameni, and this election was part of his attempt at rebalancing the power relationship that had slid toward Khameni's favor.

Good stuff, beats the hell out of the crap the media is putting out.

Occhi

I'm not so sure the gamibt has failed yet. Rafsanjani is the leader of the council that oversees the laws and, more importantly, has the ability to remove Khameni from his post. *IF*, and that's a big if, Rafsanjani can show to the council that Khameni's rule is bringing about the potential destruction of Iran from within or can be shown to grabbing power and going against the revolution that started the present rule in Iran, Rafsanjani could get the council to remove Khameni and then institute a new clerical leader that is more in line with Rafsanjani's beliefs and allow more democracy within Iran. It all depends on if Rafsanjani can give enough rope to Khameni at this point to have Khameni effectively hang himself. If Khaemni doesn't fall for the trap, then Rafsanjani has basically hung himself. Right now they're both playing russian roulette and we'll have to see who ends up with the bullet.