THE SPARK!

 Behrooz Ghamari 

Highlights from the last debate on the front page of a Tehran newspaper: Velayati: The result of Mr. Jalili's nuclear negotiations is more sanctions and more pressure on the people. Aref: The almighty gave me the strength to hold my meaningful silence against the events of the last presidential election. We must never use a stick against each other. Rezaei: Mr. Haddad speaks in the language of slogans, he can resist as much as he wants, but people are hungry.

After three debates and much publicity on the radio and television (every candidate gets exactly the same length of airtime of close to 5 hours from the state-run radio and television, they are not allowed to purchase additional time) the campaign feels quite real and heated. 

The third and last live TV debate finally spread the election fever across the country. Focused mostly on foreign relations, the debate generated heated discussions on a number of issues, most importantly on the negotiations with Western powers over nuclear proliferation. The most shocking moment of the debate was Ali Akbar Velayati’s biting criticism of Mr. Jalili’s failure as the chief negotiator to close the file on nuclear negotiations. We need to remember that Velayati is a two-time minister of foreign affairs and a trusted adviser and a close ally of the Supreme Leader. Jalili prides himself as the only negotiator who has carried out the wishes of the Supreme Leader to the fullest. Jalili campaigns on the strength of his uncompromising position under the slogan of “resistance with teachings of Islam.”

In a brilliant passage, Velayati reminded Jalili that “a negotiation table is not a philosophy class. You should not pat yourself on the back because your logic was superior to theirs. People want to know what you have actually achieved.”

Velayati, a physician with specialization in infectious diseases from Johns Hopkins University, is clearly separating himself from the 2+1 coalition and from the neo-conservatism of Jalili and Ahmadinejad. 

Now we can see that three distinct lines has emerged.

First, and so far the most successful, is the reformist line represented by Aref and Rohani. As the campaign progresses, both candidates are becoming more candid and assertive in their critique of Ahmadinejad’s two-term administration and his supporters in the principlist/neo-conservative camp. The main themes in their critique are: the suppression of freedom of expression, erratic and failed economic policies, confrontational and provocative foreign policy, which relates back to the pressing economic concerns of most Iranians.

Aref: “They wanted to bring the oil money to people’s table, instead they took their bread away!” Rohani: “They wanted to ensure that the wheels of enrichment of uranium continued to turn, but they broke the wheels of our economy by encouraging sanctions and creating a hostile environment.”

Second, are the traditional conservatives who appear to be more accommodationist and do not intend to eliminate the reformists from the polity. This line was mostly absent after the Guardian Council vetted the candidates. But now, Velayati, Tehran Mayor Qalibaf, and Mohsen Rezaei, the former chief of the revolutionary guards, are trying to situate themselves as the representatives of this line. Qalibaf, an original member of the 2+1 coalition, has now tried to distance himself from the neo-conservatives, although to me, he remains a wildcard. The traditional conservatives’ criticism of the reformists is that they are elitist, and that during Khatami administration they monopolized power by putting their own operatives in charge of every single office in the entire state bureaucracy (“The only people who kept their jobs were the janitors”).

Third, are the principlist or neo-conservatives represented by Jalili and Haddad. Both of these have performed poorly in the debates and keep losing support. Haddad was never a serious contender. But Jalili operates with an organized campaign and has the endorsement of influential principlist ayatollahs. They call themselves principlists because they believe that they are the only true followers of the Supreme Leader and that they never retreat from the basic principles of resistance and revolutionary Islam. It is interesting that Jalili and Hadda borrow their rhetoric from Khomeini’s revolutionary discourse, but their support in the clerical establishment comes from those who opposed Khomeini and his revolutionary zeal.

But what is important is that the last debate has now generated a nationwide enthusiasm about the election. Although the police has banned late night carnivals, Tehran and other major cities around the country is a scene of campaign festivities. People of all walks of life, young and old, rich and poor, educated and otherwise pour into the street defending their favorite candidate. The newspapers and blogs report that these gatherings have been peaceful and without police interference. 

Photos show outside the television station during and after the third debate.

The two reformist candidates, Aref and Rohani, were supposed to announce the formation of a coalition yesterday. But it seems like both insist on continuing their campaign.

Yesterday, after they failed to reach an agreement, former president Khatami told a group of reporters that rather than their own ambitions the candidates should think about the interests of the nation.

The key that symbolizes Rohani's campaign is becoming more and more ornamented!

Under the watchful eyes of Ayatollah Khomeini, Rohani promises a government of "thoughtfulness and hope!"

Both Aref and Rohani are now easily able to pack small stadiums!

A woman holding a Jalili photo on the bus. Now every little opening any where in the city is considered to be a campaign opportunity

Jalili poster working as a burqa!

Campaigning while waiting for the green light.

Blue is the color of Rezaei. Although he has proven to be a good debater, he has been having a hard time to improve his standing in the polls.

As if getting into the major metro stations were easy before. Try it now!

Strolling in the park on behalf of the Mayor Qalibaf!

Qalibaf also knows the significance of women's vote quite well.

Doctors do not recommend participating in any campaign rally after a nose job!

The thinker is totally blurred in this scene!

Rohani enthusiasts.

Late for work, early in the morning, Tehran metro station!

The increasing popularity of Qalibaf.

Jalili supporters usually need to shout louder to compensate for smaller numbers!

Apparently Jalili's call for resistance still resonates with many youth in Iran.

The reformists now hope that they can win the election in the first round! Wishful thinking?

Many in Iran wish that they could live under perpetual election season where every one is friendly, even the police and drivers on busy streets.

Zahra Eshraqi, Khomeini's grand daughter, is the head of the National Organization of Reformist Youth.  She announced yesterday that the reformist candidates for Tehran City Council election agreed on a single list and have a great chance of retaking the majority in the Council.