Prez Dumbo's saber-rattling elevates Ahmadinejad throughout Middle East

[npincus]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/24/world/middleeast/24iran.html?ex=1348286400&en=5fc22b145a4fd93a&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

As usual, the Idiot-in-Chief's swaggering bluster has only served to hype and elevate the stature of an otherwise inconsequential opponent.

But it is because of his provocative remarks, like denying the Holocaust and calling for Israel to be wiped off the map, that the United States and Europe have never known quite how to handle him. In demonizing Mr. Ahmadinejad, the West has served him well, elevating his status at home and in the region at a time when he is increasingly isolated politically because of his go-it-alone style and ineffective economic policies, according to Iranian politicians, officials and political experts.

Political analysts here say they are surprised at the degree to which the West focuses on their president, saying that it reflects a general misunderstanding of their system.

Unlike in the United States, in Iran the president is not the head of state nor the commander in chief. That status is held by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader, whose role combines civil and religious authority. At the moment, this president’s power comes from two sources, they say: the unqualified support of the supreme leader, and the international condemnation he manages to generate when he speaks up.

“The United States pays too much attention to Ahmadinejad,” said an Iranian political scientist who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. “He is not that consequential.”

[gratuitous]

1. Think of Ahmadinejad as their Tancredo or Brownback

But for some strange reason (okay, because they want to buy a new war), the White House and its media echo chamber are pleased to think that Ahmadinejad holds some real power or authority, and can actually do something to further his demented rantings.

[npincus]

4. This is so 2002... MSM trying to warm Americans

to the concept of a third war in the ME at the behest of the WH. This is dejavu... the same shit happened in the lead-up to Chimp's War on Iraq.

[bdamomma]

2. exactly, Ahmadinejad is not the supreme ruler in Iran

but cannot tell some of Americans that, total ignorance of other cultures. Unbelieveable on how much attention Ahmadinejad is getting, we (excluding DU'ers) are playing right into *'ies hand.

[MikeNearMcChord]

7. Supposedly there are some moderate elements

ready to run against Ahmadinejad. Also what many here may not know that Iran does have a Jewish member in it's Parliament.
http://www.iranjewish.com/News_e.htm
Granted it is not paradise over there, but not 1938 either.

[EFerrari]

3. The WJ host just showed a big ad in the NYTs taken out by

the White House front group Freedoms Watch. It has a picture of the Iranian president and calls him a terrorist.

[gratuitous]

5. An ad? In the New York Times?!

Ohmigod! The Republic totters again.

[EFerrari]

6. At least I thought it was the Iranian president. Maybe it was Eli Pariser.

:)