In Iran, a council of religious "experts" pick candidates that the people vote on

[Recursion]

In the USA, a council of partisan and media "experts" pick candidates that the people vote on. I'm really no longer convinced that our way is that much better.

Anyways, the election in Iran tomorrow will be very important. The pro-reformist movement is at a critical moment: if candidates in the mold of Rafsanjani can make some gains it would be the kind of check on Iranian conservatism that people are calling our recent midterms on American conservatism. However, if Ahmadi-Najad's picks take over most of the towns (these elections are for municipal offices only, but these are much more powerful and prominant positions in Iran than in the US) then the conservative faction is pretty much fixed in place. It will also mark Ahmadi-Najad's full conversion from a firebrand populist to a firebrand religious conservative... which is quite a shame, from my perspective. However, that's the corner we have backed Iran into by invading the countries on both sides of it.

[rpgamerd00d]

1. Candidates are picked by party members, who are citizens.

I am a Delegate to the Democratic State Convention here in CT. I am just an ordinary citizen, like you.

I choose who goes to the primaries in my State. (I chose Ned Lamont, for example, and he got 33% of our vote and won the primary as a result, even though he lost to Loserman.)

Its not even REMOTELY the same thing as in Iran.

Please.

[Recursion]

2. No, you're not thinking far back enough

How many people wanted to run for Senate as Democrats in CT? A lot more than 2. Political operatives and media editors decided that the primary vote was between Lamont and Lieberman. Not you, not me.

[rpgamerd00d]

3. Complete bullshit. Anyone that wanted to run, could.

My vote would have been for whoever showed up that I thought was qualified.

You do realize that ANYONE can show up at the Convention and announce they are running, right?

Its not like there was a ballot with only Lieberman and Lamonts name on it.

You really should stop talking about stuff you know nothing about.

[bicentennial_baby]

4. The Guardian Council approves the candidates,

The Supreme Leader and the Chief Justice elect the Guardian Council, The Supreme Leader appoints the Chief Justice, the President, Majlis (legislature) and the Assembly of Experts are elected by the people. No separation of powers, completely different than our system.

The worst thing that happened to Iran recently was getting rid of Khatami...there was never any hope for Ahmadinejhad...