Khatami to run for office: Challenge Ahmedinejad

**Каие** · February 08, 2009, 10:36 AM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/mid...st/7877740.stm

First we had the most liberal senator of 2007 become President of the USA, and now the most liberal Iranian political figure since the revolution has declared his return and intention of unseating the purely idiotic, incapable and mad Ahmedinejad. And according to experts stands a very good chance indeed.

Ahmedinejad has failed on the economy, has failed on crime, has failed on domestic policy, has failed on foreign policy, failed failed failed. For the second time these past months I wish the most liberal candidate to unseat the incumbent conservative.

Maybe these two 'liberals' can come together, hug, kiss and make up? Anyway, it's our best shot at peace.

**Heinz Guderian** · February 08, 2009, 10:39 AM

Khatami and Obama sitting down talking. I talked about this in the "Discussion" section of my dissertation and how relations would no doubt improve. I also predicted that the quick drop in oil prices would unseat Ahmedinejad. I got like 79% for it.

In your face kb. How you like me now? Yeah, didnt think so.

**motiv-8** · February 08, 2009, 10:45 AM

Khatami unseating Ahmedinejad and sitting down for talks with Obama would be the biggest thing to happen in the Middle East since the Camp David Accords. Whether it would actually accomplish something is another question entirely.

What would blow me out of my pants would be for Khatami, Obama, and the new leader of Israel -- whoever that's going to be -- to all three sit down and discuss things.

**Каие** · February 08, 2009, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by motiv-8

What would blow me out of my pants would be for Khatami, Obama, and the new leader of Israel -- whoever that's going to be -- to all three sit down and discuss things.

If that leader is Ehud Barack or Tzipi Livni, I can see it maybe possibly happening, but if it is the dedicated hawks of Likud or Yisrael, Bibi Netanyahu or Lieberman, It is almost completely unlikely. They are called hawks for a reason. They need that public enemy number 1 to just blame for everything or defect attention to, or to use for other political leverage.

Originally Posted by Farnan

Will Khamanei let him run, and will he let him win? Khamenei only lets those he want to win win, the Guardian Council has the right to nullify any candidate and to nullify any vote. And will this effect change, the President of Iran has only as much power as Khamenei will give him.

I would say to that that Khatami is not just some random candidate, he is very popular and has a very large follwing. He only really lost to Ahmedinejad because of the Invasion of Iraq, and the new desire for Iranians to be vocal again that the one guiy they feared is gone. They wanted, as most countries do in times of uncertainty, go to the right.

I doubt any attempt to get rid fo him would be legitimately accepted by the people. As for Ahmedinejad, he isn't exactly the Ayatollahs favourite guy. They have never been on good terms, I don;t think the Ayatollah would risk his own position to save the uselss Ahmedinjed.

**Zephyrus** · February 09, 2009, 10:11 PM

Originally Posted by motiv-8

Khatami unseating Ahmedinejad and sitting down for talks with Obama would be the biggest thing to happen in the Middle East since the Camp David Accords. Whether it would actually accomplish something is another question entirely.

What would blow me out of my pants would be for Khatami, Obama, and the new leader of Israel -- whoever that's going to be -- to all three sit down and discuss things.

I doubt that scenario is likely. Why would Iran suddenly change course and give the the US exactly what it wants? Doesn't make sense for it to do so, since its still fighting a proxy war for control in the M.E.

**Mikelus Trento** · February 09, 2009, 10:22 PM

Originally Posted by Zephyrus

I doubt that scenario is likely. Why would Iran suddenly change course and give the the US exactly what it wants? Doesn't make sense for it to do so, since its still fighting a proxy war for control in the M.E.

Obama

**Zephyrus** · February 10, 2009, 01:05 AM

Originally Posted by Mikelus Trento

Obama

Change, man. Change!!!

**Central Asian Qaghan** · February 08, 2009, 10:45 AM

Good. At least someone will come that wil talk down to the west and not just utter threats. A Nuclear armed Iran needs a person like Khatami. Someone that can make the West leave Iran well enough alone.

**Farnan** · February 08, 2009, 10:48 AM

Will Khamanei let him run, and will he let him win?

Khamenei only lets those he want to win win, the Guardian Council has the right to nullify any candidate and to nullify any vote.

And will this effect change, the President of Iran has only as much power as Khamenei will give him.

**Heinz Guderian** · February 08, 2009, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by Farnan

Will Khamanei let him run, and will he let him win?

Khamenei only lets those he want to win win, the Guardian Council has the right to nullify any candidate and to nullify any vote.

yeah, way to put a damper on everyone's optimism. Thanks alot.

**motiv-8** · February 08, 2009, 10:49 AM

While that's true Farnan, Khatami is far too popular in Iran for that to go over well with a population that is ever liberalizing. Khamanei might have the say, but I think even he will have to bow to the public pressure lest he begin a process that makes him look like the Shah.

**Aziel** · February 08, 2009, 11:08 AM

I hope he'll win, but lets not forget that the chance he will is not high, and that every decision the president makes ultamitaly needs to pass the Supereme Leader's approval, and with that Supreme Leader I doubt that any Liberalization of Iran will take place even if Khatami will get elected.

**Heinz Guderian** · February 08, 2009, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by Aziel

I hope he'll win, but lets not forget that the chance he will is not high, and that every decision the president makes ultamitaly needs to pass the Supereme Leader's approval, and with that Supreme Leader I doubt that any Liberalization of Iran will take place even if Khatami will get elected.

He was pretty liberal with Rafsanjani. He sanctioned state-recognised sex changes and the liberalisation of media. He even authorised possible search and rescue missions for American airmen by US aircraft during the bombing of Afghanistan.

**Каие** · February 08, 2009, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by Heinz Guderian

He even authorised possible search and rescue missions for American airmen by US aircraft during the bombing of Afghanistan.

That's because Iran hated the Taliban, beyond reason.

Originally Posted by Aziel

I hope he'll win, but lets not forget that the chance he will is not high, and that every decision the president makes ultamitaly needs to pass the Supereme Leader's approval, and with that Supreme Leader I doubt that any Liberalization of Iran will take place even if Khatami will get elected.

I wouldn't underestimate Khatami, he is still very strong. True he was screwed over by the Ayatollah, some say, but the Ayatollah has to die some day. Of course we always remain optimistic in these things, but we can't pretend to be for sure. Either way we're in for an interesting 2009.

**Heinz Guderian** · February 08, 2009, 12:56 PM

So when like the Ayotollah dies, who takes over? A relation or the next longest beard?

**Каие** · February 08, 2009, 01:00 PM

These guys choose.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assembly_of_Experts

**Heinz Guderian** · February 08, 2009, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by ЯoMe kb8

These guys choose.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assembly_of_Experts

thats like 86 d00ds, headed by the liberal Rafsanjani. All jokes aside, thats pretty democratic for Iran, especially for those that think most layman voters are retarded. I always thought it would be his son or an annointed yes man.

Iran is pretty cool. I <4 them.