Did Red Staters Prevail in Iran, or Did the Vote Counters?

With Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad claiming victory in a disputed election, one has to wonder if enough Red Staters came out lead him to victory, like they apparently did in 2004 for George Bush, or was the vote fixed as many wonder about in 2004 and 2000 in the U.S.

In 2004, despite months of preparations in Ohio by Republican forces, the vote in that pivital state came down to a relatively same number. And while there didn't seem to be a single area of questionable voting, across the state, bit by bit, the numbers didn't seem to add up, leading Robert F. Kennedy and others to question Bush's election.

Apparently they learned in Iran to not make it close, as Ahmadinejad is claiming victory with more than 60 percent of the vote. Taking a page Dick Cheney or Antonin Scalia, Ahmadinejad declared the election protests "not important from my point of view."

Perhaps Scalia could happily volunteer to go over to Iran on a tour telling voters to "get over it," afterall the Red State candidate "won." Isn't that how elections are supposed to come out?

When George Bush was occupying the White House the United States had no moral authority to question elections in other countries. After Florida, who could take our comments seriously?

Today, although still burdened by 2000 and 2004, at least the U.S. can blame those elections on a different time, just as we can blame segregation on a different era.

With the election of President Obama we can show the world the importance of an free and fair election, and perhaps many Iranians thought they had progressed as we had. Unfortunately it may be a few years before they catch up.

Dashed hopes are difficult to deal with. In 2004 American voters took to the internet to apologize to the world for being unable to oust Bush, allowing him to nearly destroy the American economy. Iranians have taken to the street, rioting, as they feel they have no hope.

Americans were able to regroup and throw the GOPHers out of power, starting with the House and Senate in 2006 and the White House in 2008. With hardliners aging in Iran it may take time but one can hope they eventually oust their Bush.