Ahmadinejad defeated by 'moderate' in Iran's presidential election!

One of the leading contenders to replace the late Hugo Chavez is the biggest clown currently heading a government has bitten the electoral dust.

I'm talking about none other than Iran's zany Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has lost his battle for reelection to moderate Hassan Rouhani. Mr. Rouhani received 50.71% of the vote, thus narrowly avoiding a runoff.

The president-elect said "This victory is a victory for wisdom, moderation and maturity... over extremism." But he also urged the world to "acknowledge the rights" of Iran.

At the same time, however, he urged the world to "acknowledge the rights" of Iran-" possibly code for its nuclear ambitions- and said that "nations who tout democracy and open dialogue should speak to the Iranian people with respect and recognise the rights of the Islamic republic."

Since it's Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei and other senior theocrats who actually set policy in Tehran (Khamenei actually has to ratify the voters' decision before the new leader can take office), it's not clear to what extent, if any, Iran's relations with the rest of the world will change. But preliminary indications are that Khamenei will approve Rouhani's election, and the reaction of Western governments to Rouhani's election has thus far been positive.

Say a prayer or two. Maybe this will mean more than simply a change of the face at the top of what has been a rather bizarre government at times, and one consistently hostile to America.

HT: Drudge