Breaking Reuters: Mousavi Wins; He Claims Victory

[SuperTrouper]

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSEVA14340720090612

Opposition challenger Mirhossein Mousavi claimed victory on Friday against hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Iran's presidential election on Friday.

"I am the definite winner of this presidential election," Mousavi, a moderate, told a news conference in Tehran.

But he said many people had not been able to cast their ballots even after voting was extended by four hours.

A victory for Mousavi could help ease tensions with the West, which is concerned about Tehran's nuclear ambitions, and improve chances of engagement with U.S. President Barack Obama, who has talked about a new start in ties with Tehran.

In Washington, Obama said his administration was excited about the debate taking place in Iran and he hoped it would help the two countries to engage "in new ways."

[Inuca]

1. YESSSS!!!!

I was just going to post the Reuters link. This is huge, it really is.

[jenmito]

2. But the Iranian state media just declared Ahmadinejad the winner.

MSNBC just reported Mousavi ALSO declared victory saying he's the definite winner. I bet it will be stolen.

[eleny]

3. MSNBC just said that MA has won :(

Both guys are each announcing victory.

[Drunken Irishman]

4. Ahmadinejad's state-run media claiming he won. The other guy is claiming he won.

But my bet is that Ahmadinejad wins.

[Hansel]

5. BBC is reporting Ahmadinejad has 66% of the vote with

http://news.bbc.co.uk/


70% counted.

Yes, just like Sadam Hussein won 99% of the vote. It doesn't pass the laugh test.

[DCBob]

6. It's very very sad..

I suspect many in Iran are now feeling like we would have felt if the election was stolen from Obama. My heart goes out to them.

[Kdillard]

7. How disappointing.

[karynnj]

8. Some one on the NYT blog made a good point

He suggested that it was possible that the rural areas really are very much for Ahmadinejad, while the urban areas were very much against him. He compared this to 2004.

Then, in both cases, both areas see it as likely to be a solid win for their favorite. (Yes, I know that with more voting machines in Ohio, President Kerry would have narrowly won - probably without the popular vote. - But the comparison makes sense and suggests that it is possible that in spite of the huge urban rallies - Ahmadinejad really did win. (Caveat - I have no idea of the % of rural and urban in Iran.)

[DCBob]

9. I don't buy it. This huge "victory" for Ahmadinejad will be largest in Iranian history.

It is absurd considering all the excitement, rallys, and huge turnout. It makes zero sense.

[TheBigotBasher]

11. The relatively up to date results are showing on wiki

translated from BBC Persia (BBC looks weird in Arabic).

66% for Imadinnerjacket.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_presidential_election,_2009

No poll had him in front never mind that far ahead. Not only were the NeoCons supporting him, I bet they taught him how to win as well.

[vaberella]

10. Holy Shit!!! Holy Shit!! Holy Shit!! Brilliant. Wow!! n/t

[MadBadger]

12. ummm...what?

[DCBob]

13. Nope. Check the more recent posts.

[vaberella]

15. I just noted that..thanks. I'm watching Al Jazeera. n/t

[DCBob]

16. What is the latest from Al jazeera? Any riots yet?

I hope so. Where are the fucking terrorists when you need them??

[vaberella]

18. Nope..I turned off when they were talking to some actress.

And they're still talking to said actress. I'm waiting until that is over.

Here's a link: http://www.livestation.com/channels/3-al_jazeera_english

[DCBob]

19. Pathetic. I'm getting drunk..

Check back in the AM. Ciao.

[vaberella]

20. They're back to talk about the polling. n/t

[vaberella]

14. Hold on...I just saw Al Jazeera and they say Ahmadinejad is ahead. n/t

[janx]

17. We won't know until tomorrow--if we ever know. n/t

[jberryhill]

21. Norm Coleman is filing a challenge against both of them, so there /nt