CNN

Based on the reporting, it seems to be a sham. Which is very sad.

It was about as honest as the election down in Florida with George Bush. Déjà vu all over again, only this time it was in Iran, how about that Jack?

100% NO. But honestly is any middle east election HONEST???? mmmm

You forgot to mention that Ahmadinejad is head of the Interior Ministry, which oversees the electons. No way this was a legitimate victory. Hopefully, the protests will force a recount if not a new election.

No. Really, Jack, that's not even a fair question – we can't even have fair elections in this country.

Brandon – Greenville, SC

Jack,

It just goes to show – it's not the people from Iran we have difficulties with – it's their government that's a problem. Sound familiar?!?

Esteban
Harrisburg, PA

Was the Bush election in 2000 honest""? Are many of the elections in the Deep South, even today, "honest"?
Answer those two questions and you'll have the answer to the question about Iran's elections. Truth told, any election results must be approved by the council of mullahs, who have the right to veto any law they deem as "anti-Islamic." Therefore, any election result can be rejected because it is "anti-Islamic."
The big question is what to do.
Iran revolves around oil. If we eliminate the need for oil, then we eliminate Ahmadinejad's source of revenue. That's the reason we need to do everything and any thing possible to reduce the need for fossil fuel. That's also the reason we need to develop gasoline subsitutes from eco-friendly sources, like algae, kelp, and even specially engineered strais of e coli bacteria. It can be done. We must decide to do it.

Honest elections not only have to BE honest, they have to LOOK honest. If the Iranian government was trying to conduct a fair and honest election, then they managed to do a grand job of shooting themselves in the foot.

Howard Cihak
Alexandria, VA

The statistics would certainly question the honesty. And would the investigation be an investigation? Or just an attempt to polish the lie? Afterall, a lie is like a wine. It needs time to ferment.

Jack,

Whether the elections were honest is irrelevant. Who won is ultimately irrelevant. What matters is that the Iranian have the courage to stand up to what THEY perceive as an electoral injustice. We should never concern ourselves with what we perceive as the wrong doings of foreign governments. It is the reaction of a nations people to their governments actions (be they benign or malevolent) that really matters. We should only encourrage from a distance. I'm encouraged that there are protests in the streets and they've lasted more than one afternoon. That Iran/Iraq war put a huge dent in the political demographics that the old revolutionaries needed to maintain power. There will be a new revolution in Iran within 10 years. Let's hope for better results when the dust settles.

Mike
New Brunswick, Canada

Jack,

You mean those elections consisting of hand picked candidates, right?

Sure, they were fair.

How can they find there's fraud? Yes it seems unlikely Ahmadinejad won on all fronts AND they finished counting 2 hours after closing but they could say they were counting while votes are being given. Also, what is the alternative? I guess a re-vote where officials are standing to count? If Moussavi wins the re-count wont Ahmadinejad's supporters riot and ask for another one? With no tracking I don't think they can do anything unless they count votes one by one in front of the tv.

The chances of the elections being honest are about the same as the chances of snow in Houston today.

Probably as honest as our last election!

Of course they weren't honest. I really hope the rigged election could be overturned. It probably won't happen. It's easy to get a landslide, if it's fixed. JOY IN OHIO

Why does no one talk about the fact that Iran's non-transparent pseudo-theocracy today is a direct result of American/British covert action at toppling a secular democracy in the 1950s.

Google operation Ajax and then re-examine this question.

Depends on the context... it was probably "honest" by middle east standards, but certainly not by western standards!

First and foremost, let's try not to paint a black and white picture here. The fact is that Ahmadinejad does have significant support in Iran, especially amongst the rural and peasant class. The last time I checked, the rural areas make up a large number of voters in Iran. On the other hand, I do find it hard to believe that a President, who has done nothing for the economy, made outlandish comments regarding Israel, and has further isolated Iran in the international community, has won a re-election with an impressive mark. I personally do feel that rigging did take place, and if the elections were fair, Mousavi would have won, BUT, just barely.

Apparently George Bush had an impact over there, they are learning the American way quickly. After all didn't we have two questionable elections in a row?

Jack:

Were the elections in Iran honest?

No.

The rapid counting of paper ballots and announcement of a winner indicates that the election results were not honest.

Will there be a remedy?

Time will tell, not us.

The interesting parallel between the USA and Iran is that both governments are Republics.

That fact makes me very skeptical of those who would propose a Constitutional Convention as a solution for our problems in the US.

Can you imagine if our Republic swayed to a religious leadership as guardians of an election?

Cordially,

Earthbob

Does it really matter if they were honest? Did anyone really think it would be? Nothing will change the results so move on.

the difference between them and us in an election is we are not as willing to get off our duffs to protest dishonest elections and decisions we do not like. they believe they have the right to have there voices heard we on the other hand in the election of bush the first time saw for the first time how dishonest are elections are and for years we been saying we are perfect and everyone else was flawed. there elections were as fair as our 2000 election except they knew it and did something about it. what do you think would have happened if the what do you think this country would have done if the 50,999,897 people who cast there votes for Gore would have taken to the street as the Iran people have done? I think we would have had a very different out come and we would not be in two wars and have lost over 4000 of our soliders life. I think the supreme court would have been afraid very afraid to put the results in Bush side. we are at fault for our mistakes.

one more time...

I'm from Santa Rosa, California, a geezer who holds
Muslim and Christian fundamentalism in mutual contempt,
who is very tired of being in any way hostage to or annoyed
by either.

Even if there was fraud, nothing will be done about it, particularly with Iran's form of government. No, I don't believe the election was honest. But then again, we live in a democracy, we vote, have machines, have election officials...we have chads..we have Gore v. Bush. Which goes to show democracy does not guarantee honesty in elections.

It is a joke!

Heck no, and I think they learned how to cheat from the western world. Remember Bush and his good old brother? Down there in Florida, so why should we get angry or even comment about cheating? The USA is the biggest bunch of cheating no good politics around.

I don't believe U.S. elections are honest, why would I believe Iranian ones are.

Why is that Americans can not "buy" the outcome of an election if they don't like the leader. Despots are elected by democratic means all of the time. Hitler, for instance, was elected. There is no way we will ever know if the election was rigged, and to be frank it, it is none of our business.

Are you serious? Why not ask harder questions like – "Do you believe the Venezuelan and Cuban election results are honest?" The last honest election was in Iraq, run by the American and coalition military.

How about this one for you, Jack:

Do YOU believe elections in the US are honest? Do YOU believe there was no ballot stuffing on behalf of ACORN? Do YOU believe the Minnesota Senate race recount is following the proper recount process with fair judicial prudence?

I do not think they were honest. The acts of intimidation, bribery and corruption most likely played an instrumental part in Ahmadinejad's landslide victory.

I think the fact that they released the results the same night as the election, when there were still millions of paper ballots to be counted by hand, is highly suspicious. The disrespect Ahmadinejad and the government's police has shown to protesters of the election leads me to believe there is something manipulative going on within the conservative-controlled government. I'd like to know how the other reformist politicians fared in their elections. Were there more women that got voted into congress for instance? If regionally elected officials' results were tampered with, it would be more obvious that something larger is at play.

It's impossible to get such a quick outcome considering the high turnout. Essentially, they had to count over 5 million votes within a 2-hour period which says a lot.

I think the elections were rigged and it comes as no surprise to me. When you are dealing with a highly corrupt government, "democracy" is just a front! As much as I hate to say it, the only solution to the current regime seems to be another revolution by the people of Iran.

Jack, of course the election is rigged. This election is the biggest bunch of crock since the Supreme Court handed the 2000 presidential election to Bush. These so called Mullahs and the "supreme leader" felt threatened by Moussavi. They know Moussavi represents a platform of political reform and better relations with the US and their allies. The people of Iran want that too. How can an incumbent president win an election when the country you are running is suffering from severe inflation, high unemployment, and isolation from the rest of the world. Just sit back with a box of popcorn and watch the Iranian people start a good ole fashion French Revolution. These Iranian went to far this time.

Do you seriously need to ask????? Of course the Iranian elections were totally dishonest. There is no way 40 million votes that had to be hand counted could be counted in 2 hours and a winner announced, plus Moussavi even lost among his own ethnic group, which is ridiculous. There is some serious voter fraud going on here. I just hope this investigation into allegations of ballot fraud is done fairly and not fraudulently itself.

Iran's elections are a sham. They're murdering students and for all we know a Tiamenem square massacre is but hours away.

Where is Obama? Why is he being silent? Didn't Bill Clinton learn from the slaughter in Rwanda?

Obama's silence is fueling this tyrants fragile hold on power. This country should always stand strong for those struggling for democracy.

There is no way the Iran elections were fair. They were clearly rigged in favor of a hardline extremist by the Ayatollah, a hardline extremist himself. Undoubtedly there will be a commission appointed by the Ayatollah that will consist of fellow hardliners. I don't see any hope for Moussavi in this situation, and the real losers are the people of Iran and their wonderful Persian culture.

Jeff Gassman
Minneapolis, MN

Dear Jack,

Since time immemorial in this great democracy, our own elections have been, to one degree or another, fraudulent. It just does not get a lot of press because it usually does not affect the outcome. What would make anyone think that "elections" the world over are not equally, or more so, fraudulent, especially vis-a-vis dictatorships and police states?

There is no democracy in Iran in the sense that they have a system that reflects the will of the people. They have a religious leader dictating which candidates are and are not acceptable and can nullify any election if it doesn't come out in the Ayatollah's favor.

Furthermore, the Ayatollah's power depends entirely on external threats, real or imagined. Ahmadinejad is the perfect candidate because he actively keeps external tensions high.

Iranian "elections" are merely a puppet show put on by the Ayatollah to try and fool all the people all of the time. In these terms, this "election" was a failure. Their populace wasn't fooled.

Time to rise up Iran. You threw out the Americans as you should have. Time to rise up again and put in place the real democracy that you deserve!

I don't think that it was fair. 62% of the vote? There is no way that can happen unless they have the fastest hanging chad counter in the world.

No. This was a sham. How could they have counted 40 million votes in a matter of hours by hand. My heart goes to the Iranian people that have been fighting for a democracy since 1905 and everytime the try another tyrant takes over.

The voters were there to honestly cast their vote. The vote counters were a not-so-honest bunch.

As honest as our own elections in 2000 in Florida.

how should we know? because Joe Biden and CNN said so? Leave the Iranians to solve their own problems.

I do not believe the Iran elections were honest, especially with reports that the "Iranian Militas" are opening fire on opposition protest. With Ahmadinejad having a tight grip on the nation what is there to expect? The 40 Million votes after the polls were closed shouldn't be counted and if the probe comes out positive for fraud there should be another election that is monitored, taken in booths, and with third party translators.

Jack,

I don't believe that they were honest. Perhaps this will be Ahmadinejad's undoing. I hope the Ayatollah Khamenei does a better job of identifying and eliminating voter fraud than the US did in 2000.

If President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won the election fairly, then where are all the supporters that cast their ballots for him? If an investigation into ballot irregularities, requested by supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei, is founded the Iranian people will not allow President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to stay in office.

Probably as honest as the Bush win.
Joe

I personally don't think they were honest based on the current polling information as well as what we've learned from past trends in Iran. Too many things just don't seem to add up right. I was all for extending a diplomatic hand to the Iranians without preconditions, but laughing in the face of democracy has definitely changed my views about the current regime. My question to you is: Is there going to be anything done about it? Probably not. I guess the next thing on the agenda is going to be Israel dropping bombs and WWII beginning. See ya on the other side Jack.

Jack,
I do not believe anything that country says, and can not trust anything they do, so no there is nothing honest about Iran, and even the clerics are not trustworthy.

NO, and they are even insulting in the way they cheated. If they planned on cheating they could have at least have the opposition win in his own district and have the result a bit closer. Not only did they cheat they cheated in ways that is insulting to the people's intelligence.

Jack: No, I strongly doubt the results were honest. Achieving 62% of the vote seems impossible with the poll results and demonstrations leading up to the election. It assumes the world is naive in accepting the results: we could accept the win, but the margin is what makes it questionable.

Yes Jack I do think the results in Iran were on the up and up. However, I also believe that the results of the 2000 Florida presidential race were on the up and up, so go figure.

Were Iran's elections honest? Absolutely not. No surprise though. However, if one's going to commit fraud, don't make it so obvious. A candidate winning every region? Impossible. The sad part, though, is that the ones who more than likely perpretrated the fraud are the ones now doing the investigation.

There are no fair elections anywhere including the US. Voter fraud and ACORN are allowed to flourish. Why should we criticize any other country.

Hell no they weren't honest! Ahmadinejad threw out millions of votes, and now he's reaping what he's sown. This is what you get when you have a legitimate case of fraud and oppression of a people.

If what our own Republicans say about Obama had any real legitimacy, then their pathetic tea parties would have been as large as THIS protest. If I were a Republican, I would be embarrassed today, because these young Iranians fighting and shedding their blood for Democracy shows exactly how WRONG the Bush administration was about the country of Iran. John McCain and all his "Bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran" singing badly misjudged that country. Their government is our enemy, but their people WANT good relations with us, and they want Democracy. Republican policies of treating them like an enemy and threatening to bomb them pushed the people toward their oppressive leaders for protection. Freed of that Republican saber-rattling, they've stood up and said "no" to Ahmadinejad. And rightfully so.

Ahmadinejad won this election the same way George Bush won his first four years. Certainly not by the popular vote.

Why is Biden so skeptical? Did he find out that "Joe the Suicide Bomber" was campaigning for Ahmadinejad? Did CBS call the election before the polls closed in the Western provinces again? Perhaps some butterfly ballots donated by the state of Florida were used and Pat Buchanan somehow got 1% of the popular vote.
In Ameica, the candidate with the most moola wins; in Iran, it's the candidate with the most mullah.

Jack, every country goes through the same fraud!

America went through it in 2000 and 2004
Mexico went through it in their last elections.

You name it. They're all rigged.

Here's hoping the Iranian protests have a positive outcome, i.e. boot that Tyrant out of that country – unlikely, but it's worth a try!

I seriously doubt it.

Yea, as honest as the election mishaps in Florida between Gore and bush in Florida in 2000–and that resulted in a leader for our country that led all of us to prosperity and World Peace!! May be that is why Iranians are upset: because they don't a second term of "bush" in their country!

As an Iranian, I'd like to say out loud that it was THE most dishonest election in Iran's history. People, specially youth, are being beaten and killed.
We will not recognize a dictator government, and we don't like US government and Mr. Obama to negotiate with a dictator....

No I don't believe they were honest but 1) in the end it's none of OUR business, 2) there is nothing we can or should do other than continue to promote free and fair elections, and 3) we should clean up our own elections while we are talking about them (ie voter supression et al). Can any one say Florida (2000) or Ohio (2004)? . . .

No it wasn't honest due to simple fact you mentioned and More!
In Short the likelihood of Ahmadi Nejad winning is similar to Ralph Nader winning Illinois's vote and getting elected with over 60% of votes in other States.

Of course the election was not honest. How is this even a question? The Ayatollah is on board with Ahmadinejad's plan to "wipe Israel off the map", so why would he allow a "reformist" in Mousavi to win? If the world does not think this is the most dangerous country in the world, you are living in a dream world.

Can a self-proclaimed theocracy have any fair elections? Why do they even bother?

You guys (the US) showed us the way to get a democracy way back in the XVIIIth Century! They'll just have to follow your example!

It was as honest as the two elections that put Bush in office and tried to steal the election from Obama. Republicans and Rovians and the Iranian Mullahs are alike.

In fact, the Mullahs probably hired Karl Rove as a political consultant.

The world knows that these results were rigged, Its equivilant of saying that McCain won every county in every state amongst all ethnic groups including Chicago, The true question is where does Iran go from here with such a deep division and an extreme lack of faith in government

Yes they were honest. This is the US' way of spewing propaganda and meddling in others affairs.

Honest? No way, I think it was rigged and the Iranian people know it.

Nahh... most likely they stopped counting when the percentages matched what they published... except the larger percentage was the opposition candidate.

Jack, while it is entirely possible that Ahmadinejad won, there is no way he won in such crushing fashion across all ethnic groups, classes, age groups, and regions. While Iranian democracy has considerable limitations imposed on it from the Mullahs above anyway, this kind of tampering in Iranian elections is unprecedented. However, with the "clenched fist" with which Khamenei and Co. rules the country, and the Iranian government having repression down to a fine tuned science, I don't see there being any true change in Iran, until the Mullahs are overthrown. Pity, the Iranian people deserve better.

I understand that Iran, like us, has a Supreme Court. Well, no problem! Just let the Supreme Court decide. It worked really well for us, why shouldn't it work really well for them too?

I love it when a dictatorship starts losing control to modern communications and a shrinking world. Soon the world will be one Community and nepharious leaders won't have anywhere to hide.
Iran's day will soon come.

it is obvious that this election was bought by the current president Ahmadinejad. you see the president does not run the country, it is a bunch of hard core religious people who runs it. Ahmadinejad, does what they say and the fact that he is against what the US wants, makes him a the perfect choice. Hossein Mousavi, on the other hand, is a wise man with an background that will lead this country into democracy and an end to many of Iranian brutal laws. does that make him popular? well, the people love him, but those religious fanatics who dislike him are the ones that choose who sits on that chair.
I am from Glendale city in california

Jack! Jack! Jack! Why would any thinking person believe that this election could possibly have has a different result than what we saw?
The powers that be, are in and they are not coming out until the guy with turbin says he's coming out, and I do no see that happening anytime soon.
That is not to say, that the next guy was going to change anythng, but he can't really, it is all controlled by the the Chief Cleric. It is his way of the highway.

Weve seen this before. Unfortunately the real power brokers in Iran
can act with inpunity at will and the struggles of the younger generation in Iran will be forgotten within a few short news cycles. In 10 days the Mullahs will come back with a verdict that will be predictably slanted toward the incumbent and that will be that. Unfortunate, yes. Unexpected, no.

Well, to be truthful, I don't know if any election is truly 100% anymore, and that includes this country, but in this case, I think anyone with any level of grade school education can see this was a sham. The sad part is what it will turn into on a global scale. We have some serious problems in the world, and I don't believe there is an elected, or appointed official in the world today that can solve even the simplest of them. We are a civilization degraded by the value we place on power and possession, and that all comes back to wealth. I investigated running for Congress in the state of PA, and the website actually advises you not to waste your time if you can't raise a million dollars for campaigning. Should tell you all you need to know.

I won't say no completely, but with all of the indications coming out of that country, I would have to lean to no.

Over 50% of the country is a young population that favors true democracy and if they all voted, then there should be a new president. Of course the president of that country is just a figure head. The real ruler is the Ayatollah (sp?). If you change that then things will change.

With the lack of independent monitoring and the control of Ahmadinejad over the central government, the idea of rigging of elections is definetly not out of the question. The fact that Mousavi lost votes from supporters from his own ethnic group should be an alarm that the elections cannot be totally honest. While we have no idea what really is happening behind the scenes, its apparent that the opposition had the power to take over the position of president. The fact that the elections were taken via paper allows for multiple errors to happen, where the citizens could've possibly from human error voted for the wrong choice. Allowing for the results of an election to be finished after two hours of counting shows the largest problem of all. The government can have no effective way to count all those ballots, only to finish later in a short time. In short, theres no real way how these elections could be completely honest.

Good question. However the USA is in no position where it can be critical. Remember the word impregnated chad. Just imagine if Bush had lost that first election. They are many who think he did "really" loose. Thanks for nothing Florida!!

I was surprised by the results but did not necessarily think they were fraudulent.
But the hyper quick results announcement and even worse that he won in every region is too tough to swallow.

I feel for the Iranian people who turned out and had faith in the democratic process only to be ripped off by those who were elected to serve them.

Jack,

Pres. Ahmadinejad forbade Mir Hossein Moussavi from protesting the results of the election. That in and of itself screams fraud. One would think he would invite a recount, if he believes he actually won in a landslide. Of course he won't do that, unless it's run the same as the 2000 U.S. presidential election. Does Ahmadinejad have a brother in power??

In the end, it is not about what we believe, only what can be proved. Considering our own election issues as of late, I will not hold my breath.

This election was a joke. No doubt about it. There will be "heck" to be paid for it. When the people have had enough they will be incited to overthrow the current government, I can just feel it. The end of this joke of a government is coming, and coming soon.

Yes, as honest as our elections ... Most of us see all this negative coverage as an effort by pro-israeli groups to create an atmosphere of uncertainity... same old crap

Jack,
As much as we've all been taught to hate Ahmadinejad, there is truly no way for US to know right now whether the election was fair or not. If the facts being reported (all counts by hand & reported within 2 hours)
are correct I'd say the outcome is highly suspect. It would have been nice to see our own people so energized after Bush v Gore in 2000. We probably could have saved our Country a lot of heart ache. The truth we all must accept is that we know what we're told by a media we can't trust. I am simply focused on visualizing a peaceful outcome for Iran, The U.S, & the World...

This election is a tragedy, and should be a great reminder to us in the free world of just how lucky we are that our votes ACTUALLY COUNT.

I hope one day Iranians can choose their leader, just as we are able to.

God Bless

Well, the one defining fact about the election is that even with a 85% turnout and paper ballots in a box, the government declared victory in minutes of polls closing, it simply isn't possible to count votes that fast, unless you already know the count before voting starts.

Sure, they were about as honest as the 2000 and 2004 elections here in the US.

I think the elections were honest by the standards of Iran because they hired the same company that managed to steal the last presidential down in Florida. But what do I know. I'm just an American.

Of coarse they were honest.

honestly appalling.

I just don't get how Mr. ahmedinejad could possibly think the population would think he really won by decaring his victory only two hours after the polls closed. A week after maybe but not two hours.

It's probably better for peace and reform that Ahmadinejad has been declared the winner.
Just imagine the riots, including in other Arab countires, if he had been overthrown.

What is it about democracy that conservatives, regardless of professed religious faith, just don't get?

Fortunately in the United States we have a liberal democracy founded on liberal American values such as those found in the liberal Bill of Rights in which these just don't happen, right?

There's a chad joke in here somewhere.

Why do you liberals even care?? The media creation in the White House will crawl to either of them. He sure sounded like there'd be "change" in Tehran last week....because he pandered to the Muslim world from Cairo. Guess what...they perceive him as weak. Rightly so.

Seriously, did anyone truely believe that this was going to be a legitimate election? Why would Khamenei ever allow a reformer to be PM? It would be like nominating your former political rival to Secretary of State.

How fast the media forgets. The U.S should never lecture any country about their elections. Since we had a similar problem in 2000 remeber that.

In all fairness, it really doesn't matter if the election results were falsified or not. You are mistaking Iran with a society in which it actually matters who won–Iran's real leader is appointed.

who cares!
why do we still need to express our beliefs on the world.
the only reason we care is because this country still believes it is the greatest country in the world. we are not that country any more. our leaders like mr obama and mrs. clinton still have mis-beliefs that the world looks to us for leadership. whoever they elect will not be our friend. we are hated in that part of the world and for good reason. how can a country who lives in a glass house throw stones?

As the line goes in Casablanca, "As honest as the day is long."

Like Wolf said – 40million votes counted in how long? – UNBELIEVABLE !!

Iran is a country with an unelected 'Supreme' leader and a guidance council which cherry picked the candidates. 62.5% was not the results of the election but the results of the guidance council vote!

When it comes to fixed elections this one takes the prize. Ahmadinejad didn't even attempt to make it look "honest" by waiting a few days to announce the results of the manual count. Before the next "election" he should send a delagation to Illinois to learn how to properly cook the results.

Where are President Obama's remarks concerning the latest development in Iran? He is more than happy to admit "our" guilt for everything wrong in the past but now is silent except for his minions on this matter. Even Gordon Brown and Angela Merkel have made strong statements.

Very doubtful, but are we surprised?

Jack,

It is pretty clear that the election was fixed... But when the greatest democracy in the world cannot get it right (i.e. G.W. Bush). What should we expect. It will be very interesting to see how it plays out.... I will bet, much like it did here....

Jack

Birmingham MI

A president who has 24 million votes doesnt need to attack and open fire on millions of people on the streets and disconnect all the communication with the world since the day of his election. A president with 24 million votes wouldnt have all his 3 opponents complain about the elections, rejecting th results. he would not need to attack and kill protesting students in their dormitories in 5 major cities at midnight

Of course none of us knows for sure. But I would bet the ranch (if I had one) that the eleciton results were a fraud and disgrace. I want repet the obvious short comings: no transparency, communications cut in almost every conceivable way, violent reistance to protest, etc. The sad part is that very little if anything can be done about it short of the violent overthrow of the regime, which is not likely.

Even so, our government should continue to try to dialogue with these scoundrels. Dialogue is successful when it is derived from the interests of both parties. What they are, God only knows, with the aid, I pray from our skilled diplomats and brilliant young president and schooled secretary of state.

Jack
No I don't believe the election was fair and honest, but, neither did I believe Ahmadinejad's election four years ago was. We dealt with him then and we will have to deal with whoever is the head of their government now. A somewhat more interesting question would be, what affect did President Obama's willingness to open a dialog with Irans government have on the election and its aftermath?

DO PIGS FLY? Obviously in Iran they want you to believe they do!

Jack, of course not. Such results are clearly an absurd claim, and if someone was going to fake the results numbers they should have at least not deemed it a "landslide".

Its entirely possible that Ahmadinejad won by appealing to the poor and campaigning against Rafsanjani like he did in 2005, but the voting statistics are just not credible.

Of course the election was not honest.

Honest??? Since when has Iran been honest about anything?

Why should anyone be surprised?
I can't remember an honest election being held in this country.

No.

I guess the vote was fair. I'm just waiting for the wing-nuts there to start questioning if Ahmedinejad was born in Iran, like they're doing here.

Its amazing why we would even ask this question!! Iran has no regard to democracy or public opinion so lets all be surprised at this!!!

There is no way this election was honest. It undermines the legitimacy of the "proclaimed" president, and it threatens the authority and legitimacy of the clerical regime as well.

The ruling clerics should know that by rigging the election to favor Ahmedinejad – arresting journalists, shutting down communications, banning public protests, and using violence to curb public dissent – they are just empowering the population to rise above the oppression that has existed for too long already.

The majority of the country wants change, and they showed this by forming rallies in the weeks leading up to the election and coming out in record numbers to vote. There are millions of educated, intellectual, modern, and forward-minded people living in Iran, and they want economic reform, they want better relations with the world, they want Ahmedinejad out of the picture.

No, the elections were not honest. If those numbers were correct, we would not have seen the protests we did today. I know Americans are very unimpressed, but what I saw today were people who know what is at stake, and are willing to put their lives down to fight for it.

of course!! must have been all the votes Ahmadinejad got from the "non- existant" homosexuals in Iran!

Jack,
This is silly. Who are we to debate on their results. As you said, it was our courts that gave the presidency to Bush. Where was the media uproar coverage for that?

What difference does it make, what difference would it have made?
If you were paying attention, the Ayatollah is still the supreme ruler, and the candidate that lost just had different rhetoric, not a different agenda.

If Irans elections showed anything its that its time for the Iranian people to revolt, I am not one for bloodshed but its hard for the peoples voice to be heard if their leaders keep hitting the mute button.

It's not our business, period. Did other countries make a big fuss when Bush stole the election in '04? No, because they know there's nothing they can do about it.

No Jack, I don't. Oh, the leadup looked so promising, with debates and reform party demonstrations, but let's face it, it's the radical mullahs who really control the country and they don't want moderate reform; they don't want women voting; they don't want peace with the U.S. They put a good on a good show, but there is no way they are going to loosen up their control.

If Iran's elections are honest, then President Obama is a republican and a third party can win the US elections. Their elections try to think that they are like our elections, but they are about as honest and reliable as one in North Korea.

In Farsi we say "If your accounting is good, don't worry about the audit"
How about Ahmadi calling for a UN-supervised re-vote. Naaah.

You ask whether we think the election results were honest. What really matters is whether the Iranian people believe they were honest, and clearly they do not. The Iranian people want democracy, here's hoping they get it.

– Quincy, Mass.

You have to give Iran credit. They went out and stole the election before the polls even closed.

In the U.S. in 2000, the Republicans stole the election, but it was a lot messier, getting to get the Supreme Court to flush their credibility.

No way!!! But as I understand it, it wouldn't really matter.
Supreme Leader? Sounds like a sci-fi flic to me Jack.

Rick – NOLA

Of course it was Jack, just like the US election in 2000.

Just as honest as our election was in 2004. I believe it ! Really !

What makes this story intriguing to the West remains the value of an honest voting system akin to true Democracy. My personal conviction is that we in the West need to closely watch Moussavi, not Ahmadinejad. While the character and demeanor of the former is already well known – the rallies and direct approach of Moussavi is what I fear most. Neither one of them, in my opinion should be leading a Nation on the brink of acquiring functioning nuclear technology.

What surprise me is that why Iranian thoughts thier voites would be counted? we have seen it on every election that nominated and already elected person takes the power. This election is no different!

There is no way that they could have counted all of those votes. This was an awful way to show the world that Iran can not be trusted. The people know who won, the government there needs to get things right.

No Jack.

My mother didn't bore any dummies. Who does Ahmadenjah think he's kidding. If the Ayatollah confirms Ahmadenjah after this, he will be the laughing stock of not only Iran but of the world. He will be known as the bigest wuss of OZ!

Brockton, Ma

Elections in Iran honest? C'mon. How can you expect a bunch of crazy religionists doing "God's will" to run an honest election, when we can't even run one here in the good old USA? Ask Al Gore about honest elections.

Ahmadinejad stole the election just like Good old Bush. I Guess we are not so different after all.

No, I do not think the election was honest.

But i am glad to see that the Iranian people are taking the streets unlike the disgruntled American voters in 2000.

I believe the Iranian elections were honest. I also believe in Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy...

this is tragic, this electios are rigged like a land mine, unfurtunatly the iranain people steped on it.

Doesn't matter unless the Supreme leader is removed from power. Either way the new candidate is still his puppet.

Were US elections honest?
Watch "UNCOUNTED" about the 04, and 2000 elections of the Presidential elections HERE! The disenfranchised voters in ohio who's votes were not counted! The diebold machines made by repulican supporters.
What about the "DNC" threating Florida and Mich during the 08 primary elections.
We haven't had an HONEST election here to say anything about anyone else's!
SOME HISTORIC ELECTION!
HA,
Same old corporate puppets!

Jack you asked if Iran's elections were honest????
How many versions of NO do you want or need???

I am an Iranian man living in Virginia, my whole family including my 13 year old son were outraged in the outcome of this election. OF COURSE IT'S FRAUD, Khamenei is quoted as saying "If Ahmadenejad loses, I lose". I honestly think this makes no sense, why elect a president who sent the country's economy into turmoil? They didn't even announce where he got the votes from! This is madness! Mousavi deserves to win. This is going to turn into a revolution.

I don't think they were honest at all. I think the greatest proof of this was how jack mentioned that he lost to his own ethnic people. If Ahmadinejad really wanted to help his people, he'd step down as president.

Reports of ballots being burned, observers being thrown out of the polls, hundreds of reform leaders arrested, and now the Basij opening fire on protesters in Azadi and attacking students at Tehran University? This wasn't an election, it was a coup.

I was surprised by the absurdity of our 2000 election, but no one should be surprised by the election in Iran. Iran is the four letter spelling of "backwards".
In spite of all of our problems it makes you glad you were born in the goold ole U.S.A.

There is no doubt that it was a fake election and Ahmadinejad is a dictator that stole the election.

Looks like the middle east has a new Saddam.

Based on the information given by CNN, Jack Cafferty and information from within Iran, I would say there is no way that the elections were honest. Cloverdale, British Columbia, Canada

I am an iranian american and must say that it has been confirmed that most riot police are not iranian, they speak arabic and they are most likely from palestine paid by islamic regime to crush the movement.

For the first time all anti regime community has voted for a member of the regime mousavi which is totaly unexpected. People need an hero and this is their hope and step to the new era.

Thank you for your great observation on cnn and please dont let this movement die.

Los Angeles, CA

It is obviously a suspicious election. They were so arrogant as to not even wait the required three days before claiming the win. They could of at least pretended to count the votes and then announce the winner.
The who thing is typical of nations that have never had democracy as they know not what to do to even fake it.

Of course not. If they were, millions of people wouldn't be taking to the streets in protest. Just wait, there's going to be a revolution if Ahmadinejad stays president.

Yes, Jack, I think the election was as honest as you could expect in Iran. You learn a lot when you live over 60 years as I have. I know where the Easter Bunny, Santa Clause and the Tooth Fairy reside when they are not visiting us, and I know a straight forward election in a middle eastern country when it happens. Get real.....

honest? I am beginning to lose my faith in Western media and intelligence. How can we still ask this question after nearly 30 years of theocratic oppression, injustice and violence in that country? Frankly Jack, I don't believe any government or election can be honest and democratic under the rule of religion.

These elections are a sham! The aiatola fixed the elections so the current president stays in and the aiatola remains in power. Ahmadinejad is just a puppet!

No it was not an honest election. I really want CNN and other media to take a close look at facts and do not ask these kinds of questions any more. There has been a coup in Iran and the world should confirm it. The Iranian people are very alone...

I can't possibly believe you could count all the paper ballots in a country as large as Iran in one day. I am sure Ahmadinejad is popular among the rural and religious voter but to believe he won a landslide in every voter group begs belief. You know if he would have been content to rig the election so he won a very close election he wouldn't be having this problem. The guy lacks subtlety.

The election of Iran is far from honesty. Iranians around the world showed that they want freedom and we will fight till we get it. This dictatorship should end now. I am glad that the whole world can see the truth and what we put up everyday.

New York City, New York

Hey ... this is a regime.. what do u think ? The brutality is enough to make u think something is wrong.....

Jack,
So Iranian people did not go for pro west guy that makes the election dishonest? Are there any proof of election rigging? Come on now..Iranians have elected anti Israel/US leader again and we should face and deal with the situation instead of crying foul!!

Wes, Atlanta

Yes of course the elections where honest, and President
Bush 43 was the greatest President of all times.

How anyone could imagine that these elections were honest and fair when the winner was announced so quickly with paper ballots boggles the mind. Obviously not honest!

You are probably right, it is unlikely that this is a honest election. One thing that should be considered Amadinajhad gets most of his support from the poor. There are more poor in Iran than middle class. Middle class have access to computers and cell phones; the poor do not.

Jim, Craig, CO

Of course they weren't honest, but what do you expect to happen? There will either be The Iranian Revolution redux or the protesters will be brutally put down, as per most dictatorships. Perhaps it's time for the CIA to support democratic groups within foreign countries rather than their oppressive overlords (Can you say 'Shah'?)

I feel lonely and worthless being an Iranian living in Iran these days. If I do really matter as an individual, then why aren't the U.N. peace officers here protecting me and my fellow citizens?

No! They were no more honest than our 2004 presidential election. I am, however, gratified to see that the Iranian people are doing a better job of defending their democracy than we did in 2004! Back then a republican friend told me that I could survive 4 more years. I told him that I was not sure that the country could. He voted for Obama and apologized for making light of my concerns. He is now an unemployed accountant!

About as honest at the 2000 Elections here in the United States. We all know how well that worked.

The real question should be why was the Iranian Government so stupid about how it tried to steal the election. Honestly, the Iranian people need a revolution, not a recount. They will never have democratic elections with the current Government in control. Having a "President" is just a way to hide the dictator "Ayotollah."

Jack, does a polar bear slow down when he hears that Alaskan State Helicopter coming his way?
OF COURSE NOT!!
And of course these elections were not honest.
Will they be successfully challenged is the question.

Um Jack, wouldn't the better question be "Who believes the Iranian elections were actually honest"?? I would love to see those responses.

It doesn't take a statistician to see that there is something seriously wrong with the results from Friday's election. Ahmadinejad's win in Tehran is almost enough to evidence to prove molestation. With the blocking of social media websites, shutting down phone communication, banning reporters and oppressive actions towards demonstrators, only an idiot could come to the conclusion that this election was legitimate.

I’m an Iranian-American who is constantly in touch with friends and relatives in Iran. This is not about who won and lost the election. This is about Iranian people standing up against fundamentalism. This event will change the face of middle east for better. Iranians need the morale support of the western world.

Jack there is no way that this election is NOT a sham.
There is no way that they could have counted all those votes by hand.
This was all fixed and the winner was already chosen.
Now how is the American President Obama or any other country suppose to work with Iran
when there own politics is prove corupt?

Jack, Iran's electoral process is as corrupt as the United States was during the 2000 and 2004 elections. Moussavi and Gore I am sure know the pain that each other feels. Too bad American voters don't have the fortitude to take to the streets like the Iranians do. They know fraud when they see it!!

Of course they were not honest, here in Calif thousands of Iranians turned out to vote and not for Ahmadinejad.

The man is nuts, and I think even Iran wants him out,

there not a free country, there goverment tells them how to live and whom to be, they need to keep fighting and over turn the Ahmadinejad administration.

The existence of fraud is obvious to even casual observers. There is little doubt that the votes of many Iranians went unheard, and it is their right to demand better of their society and government. If the people of the United States truly desire to see democracy flourish throughout the Middle East, it is our moral obligation to stand with the people in their protest.

Hello Jack. US and international media should continue the coverage of protests in Iran. The world should know what the dictator goverment of Iran is doing to their own people who all they want is to count their vote ! Please do not stop the coverage. The moment you stop the coverage, the momentum will die off inside Iran. My heart gors to all those courageous young iranian who fight for their basic right.

Iran's elections are as fair and balanced as Fox News.

About as fair as one with any education would expect. I think the state of Florida should have been brought in as advisers.It would have taken longer but we might believe who the winner was after the wait.

No way were the elections in iran honest. Lets start here the canidates who are running are not actualt the top dogs in iran and those religous leaders that run iran appoint the canidates that run. next like you said jack i think we all know that so many votes could never be counted in that amount of time. lets all use our brains no it was not fair in any way shape or form.

Sure Jack,
I believe the Iranian elections were fair, just as I believe in the easter bunny, santa clause, and the great pumpkin!

no, there was obviously election fraud. There is not a credible solution without substantial international pressure. Mainly from the united states. This problem cannot be solved by Iran's own government

Absolutely Not! As a young Iranian American, it's obvious that Ahmadinejad is hated even despised among the Iranian community especially among the Iranian youth. He has morphed Iran into an unrecognizable country, he is a shame to the Iranian people and there is no way the people would willingly vote for him in such mass numbers for a second term.

Jack, Sure it was fair! Sounds like elections in most African countries. People wait for hours to vote and they don't even bother counting the votes. The government controls all the election apparatus. The winner is already predetermined. Good Luck to the Iranians!!!

Jack, I know you are better than this!!!! The United States should STAY OUT OF THIS ONE. No one stepped in when Bush STOLE the election from Gore. We protested and wanted the recount. Bush still won. America PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!

I personally think that this is not a matter of the U.S. We should be focusing on our own country. We should focus on our economy, safety, and security and not worry about other countries. I mean there is something going on in every country everyday but you don't seem to focus on them.

Mr Cafferty,
Why are you worried about Iran's elections, when Bush stole elections in 2000 and 2004 from the Democrats? No one in the world said anything about Bush's election honesty and America is only worried about Iran's elections. Who observes America's election when there is fraud?

An honest election, you ask?

I am seeing a direct reflection of the election process over there that took place here in '00 and '04. Obviously someone was taking notes.

Honest ? Are you kidding ! picture of the guy who killed in pro-reform rally is in every where on facebook ! A goverment that can kill people can change the numbers too !

yes, in not let the recount take place.

They clearly were not honest. Is a revote going to happen? I hope but not likely.

Jack its as simple as this, The Iranian elections are as honest as their intentions on nuclear power and the devastation they are willing to bring upon the world.

This all sounds about right to me.

Jack, I have no idea if the elections in Iran were honest. I still can't figure out how dead people vote in this country. John, East Liverpool, Ohio

No! And you can bet those paper ballots have been shredded beyond recognition!

Of coarse not you would have to be a Bush supporter to believe that.

Jack it seems to be as honest election as our 2000 presidential election in Florida and our 2004 election in Ohio. What is the difference between those three.

Of course I believe that the elections were honest. I also believe that pigs can fly. Election fraud is a common practice in third world countries, Iran included. Ahmadinejad is simply a power hungry monster who wants to see another holocaust. Hopefully the United States and UANI can stop this!

It wasnt election, it was more like selection...!

Pardon me, but we are not stupid ! Wow they are fast, count 40 million votes in 2 hours !!. Of course, he win or you all the hands get chopped off.
Andree, Tewksbury MA

No no no no no no no.

Are you kidding? If you're going to ask if Iran's election's were honest why not ask us if apples are made of pixie dust and unicorn hair. I'm not saying all of our election's have been 100% legit but in Iran's case the Wizard of Oz didn't even bother to close the curtain.

There is no way in hell that Iran's election was honest! You know it and I know it.

Ahmadinejad has that short man's thing going on in spades so no, unless he grows about another foot, the elections will never be honest

ofcourse not – what a stupid question Jack. How can 40 million ballots get counted in a day? and why were all groups not represented at the counting? This is a clear cut theft of election and any one who thinks otherwise lives in lala land. This wierd guy who rules Iran was under this illusion that people liked him and now knows that people don't. Thank God that free speech is getting to the Arab world and that the young generation will not stand by the side lines anymore while their countries get destroyed by greedy leaders. There is hope for democracy after all and America's job of exporting democracy doesn't seem to have been in vain. Its great to live in these times and witness the newness of life.

Iran's elections are about as honest as those here in the states. Those elected to power have the power to put anyone in power. I have to laugh when we pretend that problems with democracy happen everywhere but here at home.

People of Iran don't even have enough freedom to choose among 4 "pre-approved" candidates? If the elections were honest people would choose their candidates not the Khameneii

Not honest!

This electiion was more corrupted than the Georg Bush election amazing thats even possable!

The world knows that these results were rigged, Its equivilant of saying that McCain won every county in every state amongst all ethnic groups, The true question is where does Iran go from here with such a deep division and an extreme lack of faith in government?

Dear Jack, Probably not, But now their "Supreme leader" has sent the foxes to count the chickens. Will we ever know the truth? I think not. Jim Sloan/ Phoenixville, Pa.

To me the more interesting question is whether the investigation will be honest.

This protest is not because of the election, it is just a tool for the iranians to show their opposition for the government, they want freedom. We are tired of this regime! I hope the u.s will support this movement.

As an Iranian-American and a college student, I am wise enough to know a corrupt election when I see one. That being said, this a the perfect display of such a corruption.

I was surprised they even bothered with an election. You knew the out come before it even started. I just hope that the right thing is done and Ahmadinejad will be gone.

Jack,

you've expressed everything I wanted to say! It just goes to show that all generations have to step up and people need to see that others can show their support towards respecting people concerned voices about the questionable process! Thank you!

Of course I believe they were honest. And I believe Obama can get us out of this horrendous debt by simply tripling the debt. And I believe Michelle O should be on the news every day, afterall, we all voted for her. And I believe 'W' thought there were WMD in Irag and connections to Al Qaeda. And I believe Octomom looks like Angeline...well, just kidding on that one, I believe she looks more like Janeane Garafolo......

How can an election be honest without lawyers. That is the example of the biggest democracy....right?

This is the only and last hope and opportunity for Iranians and world to get ride of this inhuman regime.

Presiden Obama, as you got our votes, at this critical time we need your support and sympathy to get rid of this regime and also this should be a good lesson for the other dictators to learn that their eras would not last forever and they will pay for their actions.

No Jack, they werent. But does it really matter? Isnt the Iranian President an Ayatollah approved puppet anyway? Maybe this is for the best though. Iran is still going to try to go nuclear, no matter whos president. Maybe well take a nuclear threat from Ahmedinejad more seriously than if it had been from Mousavi, who was more likely to talk to us.

I'd say absolutely not. I'd also say that Ahmadinejad winning the election is just as unlikely that George W. Bush won his two. Isn't what's happening in Iran eerily similar to what happened with the (s)elections of George W. Bush? But the Iranian protesters are seen as protesting a tyrannical regime that fixed the election whereas the protesters here were just anti-American whiny sore losers. Double standard much?

No, I believe it was the ame old same old. Khamenie and the so called president are bed together politicaly, I will be surprised if the demonstrations last 1 more day before the military takes over, These young Iranians saw what happened in the USA during Oboma's election and thought it work for them but these are far different countries.

yes, if not let the recount be done.

No, Jack. They were rigged for sure.
When I watched the September, 2008 interview with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Larry King I noticed that his body language indicated that he was not telling the truth. His facial expression was calm yet aggressive, I believe this man is a sociopath. It would be great if you could get a panel of experts to study that interview.

Yes, and I believe in Santa Claus...oh! I'm Jewish...
Over 300,000 votes counted each minute? What a sad joke.

I guess we are spreading the American way everywhere. As am american I have to admit, I have been looking down on a majority of Iraq the last few years but am really surprised to see this uprising. I really hope the people are heard... what a standard to set for the rest of middle east!!

Jack do you think we could have taken to the streets (peacefully of course) and gotten Gore elected?

Good point about Operation Ajax, David. Obama was the first US president since then to actually acknowledge American involvement in the coup that toppled a democratically-elected government and sowed the seeds of anti-US sentiment which has persisted for over half a century.

Having said that: there's little doubt that Ahmadinejad has considerable support, and would have been a force to be reckoned with in any fair election. But Mousavi, losing among his core constituency, his own ethnic group, and his home province? Results announced two hours after polls closed, in a country that uses paper ballots? Something smells.

Ahamadinejad and his Mullas supports are Gasping for Air! Hear it from an Iranian who was there 30 years ago. When they resort to guns they are losing.

The elections in Iran were about as honest as Bernie Madoff making a 12% return annually for his clients.

Please keep up the reporting this story cannot die. This is the only chance the people have to make a permanent change for the better and to get rid of these fanatic mullahs. We need to let the people of Iran know that we are on their side and we want them to succeed and overthrow the current regime. 30 years is a long time and enough is enough. People over there are fed up.
thanks.

That's would be like McCain claiming victory b4 the polls closed here in the US. I don't think the elections were honest and I think they should have a re-election. I believe that the outcome of a re-election would be a landslide for the other canidate.

Jack,

Here is my prediction:

The Ahmadinejad presidency is very similar to the George W. Bush presidency. Both were unqualified for the job, made some terrible mistakes, and over time have lost the confidence of their countrymen. The election will not be overturned and Ahmadinejad will be in office for yet another four years, just as Bush was in office for eight years. Ahmadinejad's administration is going to fall into an abyss, just as Bush failed in his last 4 years. Then, the people of Iran will have had enough with it and choose a reformist candidate who can bring real change. I think the change in Iran will be even bigger because I think there will be some changes in power, in regards to Khamenei being the Supreme Leader of the country.

It is a shame that both Bush and Ahmadinejad have ruined the credibility of both countries during their stay in office. The presidency of any nation is no joke and only the most qualified candidate should be in office.

No! This is a Country with a Faux democracy. The ruling Elite starting with Khamenei rules the country, sets it's Islamic rules etc. Iranians are shocked because of the audacity of the stolen election. These folks are the educated, the young, and women as well. I beleive to prove this is really a democracy, which we know it's not, there should be freedom for outside monitoring, like the press or observation groups. Since that is not going to happen, the fact that they are now protesting should focus international opinion, which The leadership does not care anyway.

Iran should outsource the vote-counting responsibilities to another country to see if the results are the same.

Honest or not this elections reporting somehow reminds me of our own during the 2000 presidental fiasco. Somehow I smell CIA interference.

It seems in this world we can all count on a few things ...

Death , taxes , and the undeniable fact that those in power that did not get there democratically will never allow a 'vote' to take that away...

No way! The fact that they say Moussavi lost his own people and region is like saying Obama lost Illinois...not possible. And how does a tight race turn into 62% for Ahmadinejad? Not even Reagan pulled those numbers at his most popular point. The election was just a bad joke, and the people of Iran are not laughing.

Charlene.
Please don't try to equate what happened in Iran to what happend in last 2 Bush elections. It's childish and you know that it's not the same thing, the results were legal and scrutenized by the justice system. If there is any corrolation, it's more to the last election when Acorn was registering dead people and fellons.

yes i believe their election was honest. i also believe that waterboarding is not torture, the sun comes up in the west, and dick cheney is just a big lovable teddy bear.

Such an outcome from the Iranian Presidential Election clearly proves that they were dishonest. Not only are they not allowing journalist to cover the story but they are also resisting Moussavi to protest. Now that's something to think about.

Jack,
It is clear that Ahmadinejad is desperately in need of lessons from Rove in how to steal an election.

Hempstead County, Arkansas

jack

there is no honest election if you want to remain in power

nell
Missouri

No, I knew it was fraud when the results were announced within hours. Nobody can count 40 million handwritten votes in such a short period. We obviously have another dictator on our hands who the people do not support and even represents a threat to the clerics. I just want more coverage of Iran . Ralph, Yakima, Wa.

this is a text book example of a dictatorship, im in the 12th grade and what happend in iran is exactly what they say a dictator would do during an election, he makes it look democratic but really its not.

Based on the 40 million votes cast, and the huge outcry and protest demonstations, there is no way the election was honest.

Oh probably not! This country had the same problem almost 9 years ago when Bush supposedly won. (Florida...his brother's state was really iffy and I'm not sure it would have been if his brother wasn't running things there).

I am impressed by their protest! Took a lot of guts considering that government 's supression. Looks like they will still have an AhmedinaBush government, but wait til next time. Everybody gets smarter...some sooner, some later.

Jack,

This is not a true representation of the vote. This is a Revolutionary Guard/Basiji Force coup against the People of Iran. This brings back hunting memories of the 1979 Revolution when I was a child frightened as people stood on rooftops at night and shouted chants against the Shah and here we are thirty years later, the Iranian People are still fighting for democracy and freedom. My family and I left Iran because we knew what was about to come. I support my countrymen and women on their struggle for justice and democracy. I just wish that President Obama would stand up and support the people but, I know how difficult this would be for him.

Iran’s elections were as honest and real as the island were John F. Kennedy, Amelia Airheart, and Evils Presley live.

Good Lord no. There is simply no way. These elections were more fixed than the Chicago Black Sox World Series. The numbers simply do not add up. These Iranians need a fair and independent analysis of the results which I fear will simply not happen.

about as honest as Groege Bush.

No
For example one of the candidates votes ( Rezaie) decreased as the counting continued !!!!!

Of course the elections were a fraud. Do you really think they can hand count 40 million votes in 2 hours? Of course not. Take a look at all of the corruption of politicians here in the US. In Iran it's a thousand times worse. Then I hear the supreme leader wants an "investigation"? The outcome of that "investigation" is already clear. Ahmadinejad "won" the election.

At least the Iranians are being honest about both candidates being hand picked.

In the American elections, both candidates are hand picked by banking and other private interests, but this is done behind the scenes to give the impression of a free choice democracy.

Of course the Iranian elections were rigged, but if you acknowledge this then you have to acknowledge that US elections were rigged as well.

For the British perspective who choose a puppet to hand the Iranian oil to them, or for the people in Iran who benefit from it, it was fair. But for the people who think that their own oil money should go to fill their own stomach, no it wasn't.

Jack,

Iran's elections were about as honest as ours were in 2000 and 2004; they just took a whole lot less time to announce the preordained results.

The current situation in Iran reeks of deceit. If this election was completely fair why would they arbitrarily attempt to block all communication with the rest of the world. I'll bet the "62%" is a completely made.

This is irrelevant due to the fact that candidates are selected by leadership and not by people to begin with. The process is unfair and barbarian from the beginning to the end. Those

This was not an election. It was a selection. What's going on in Iran is a coup detat and this time unlike 1953 U.S. should stand by Iranian people. America have to stand by her own principles.

We seem to question the honesty of other Countries Election, so should other Countries have the option to question our elections, especially the Presidential Elections of 2000 and 2004.

leon

I absolutely believe the elections were fair. It is against Islamic Law to lie, and the clerics in Iran know this and practice what they preach. I expected this election to be a landslide and, now that it is, the handful of people who are protesting (and it is a small minority) scream the loudest, while the silent majority do not get involved. This is not a revolution, this is a small distrubance restrcited to Tehran and as usual, the US media is blowing it out of proportion.

The iranians were real mad at americans when they put in power a goverment aginst the peoples wishes way back when!, Now Ayatollah Ali Khamenei may be doing exactly that to their own people.

The US is new leadership and ready to take on the peace aspect of the world, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei should do the same, renew peace progress. It would be made easier with out Ahmadinejad whos veiws and retoric are anti peace and corrupt the progress of humanity

As they say: "politics as usual." Those that thought it would be a fair election raise their hands. Once again the ruling party will lead the country down the path to who knows what. Strength through chaos-almost sounds like this country.

Does ACORN have a middle east chapter in Iran?

no i do not... counting 40 million hand ballots in two hours?

you'd think he would have learned from the USA bush elections– how to be more subtle...

hey jack, that election was ridiculous. It was all staged. I feel bad for the young idealistic Iranians who thought their voices were being heard. I think its about time Iran has a revolution or a coup d'état.

Definitly was not fair Like Bush in his first election cheating ...so who are we to criticize..

Clearly, there has been some sort of fraud but I'm not sure if that changed the outcome of the election. Few years ago, I visited some of the small cities and villages in Iran and surprisingly Ahmadinejad had a lot of supporters.

Jack, I just want to thank CNN for covering the Iran story extensively and thoroughly. The election in Iran was not candid and it was rigged. It is hard to believe Ahmadinejad has won more votes in every state in Iran except two states. Even Mir Hussein Mousavi did not win among Azeri people; it is hard to believe that Ahmadinejad won the votes from the majority of Iran’s large cities. Tonight, my thought and pray is with the people of Iran in their quest to get the votes counted.

The short answer is absolutely not. This is a joke.

Now, to the comment from "Bob" from earlier this afternoon, lumping Venezuela into the same club as Iran and Cuba in terms of democratic freedom is asinine. The only common thread between the three countries is idiotic rednecks tend to not like any of them. Venezuela is a free country, contrary to what is reported in the US media. Cuba and Iran are certainly less so.

About as honest as our's in 2000 and 2004, giving us 8 long LONG years of the Bush cabal. Plus a supreme ruler who gets to make the ultimate decision regardless. God help them all.

Of course the Iranian election is NOT honest. The corruption of Iranian government is known to everyone in the whole world. Think about it, how is it possible to count 40 million votes in couple of hours by hand.

There is no need to think ! There is no doubt that it wasn't honest...

Obviously they were not honest. When in elections, the people of the country do not get a chance to vote – because surprisingly the election center was out of ballots- the election is not considered to be honest!

The whole Northern California region had only one election center which had only 1200 ballots! Even for a stupid pop concert, more than 1200 people will show up.

An earlier poster said that these elections may have been honest by "Middle East standards", which is an absurd and dangerous statement. Honesty isn't a relative concept and we must resist every temptation to allow for a "Middle East standard" that calls for anything but the highest integrity and fairness. It is apparent from the people's reaction and the incumbent government's too-quick announcements of results that these elections were a complete sham.

Absolutely not. Having just returned from a trip to Iran a month ago, I have seen with my own eyes and heard with my own ears that this is not what the people of Iran want. They want the freedom they once had or for many, the freedom their parents once had before the revolution. So there is just no way that they would have voted for a 'dictator.'
We have sat around too long twiddling our thumbs. The leaders of the rest of the world need to take action, especially if the Islamic clerics, who were never too fond of change or The West anyways, are the ones investigating the election.

Farah
FL

regardless of whether the election was fair, why are we worried? the iranian people are doing what needs to be done. we should have done that in 2000 instead of whispering about it in starbucks, fair or not the people have shown that they understand what it means to be democratic.

No! It is just like bush being appointed by the conservative supreme court!

Jack, give me a person who believes that election was honest, and I will give you a person who believes Obama was born in the mid-east and is controlled by evil black Jews taking revenge on white america.

Although it is still unclear at this time if the Elections in Iran were fair and honest, with the protests going on in that country, it is reasonable to assume that the declaration of the winner was premature. Many are wondering if what is going on in Iran is going to be similar to when the Shaw was ousted in 1979. While this may be possible, if Ahmadinejad is able to stay in power, it would seem to more parallel what has happpened in Cuba with how Castro has remained in power.

Ahmadinejad is a man without scruples. He revealed himself in his various speeches he made in the UN and elsewhere. Having tasted power & the support he got from fundamentalists, it is doubtful if the elections were fair or not. Anyway his character proclaims that he is capable of doing any illegitimate undertaking to win election.

Lou: I'm a US/Iranian citizen. I;m a currently a student in U.S in contact with the people of Iran.
There is absolutely no doubt that the results are fraud. Think about it. It was declared that Ahmadinejad won in a LANDSLIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Even if he won, with all these massive protests, does it look like a landslide?

There is only one winning card for the people who committed the coup deta. There is only one thing they can deliver to make it sustainable in the long run:
Full normalization of relations with U.S.
President Obama should deprive of that Luxury.

No of course it was not honest. BUT by this brave protest by Iranian people this corrupt government is losing face and power. International response should be the same to not recognize Ahmadinejad as president until this election is properly investigated. Although this movement didn't start on Friday and will not end with this election, this is one of the most critical times of Iran's future.

RE:
LD June 15th, 2009 4:00 pm ET
Does it really matter if they were honest? Did anyone really think it would be? Nothing will change the results so move on.

Move on? So someone takes your rights away and you say "move on" hate to have you on my team in a fight ok ok we lost lets run..

FIGHT for what is right, it may not change things now, but it will show them people will not just sit back and be told by a select few whom there leader will be..

move o n= coward!

No, Iran learned from the 2000 and 2004 elections in the U.S.
Bubba said he would deliver Florida and the Supreme Court finished it off for the Republicans. Iran could not have counted 40 million ballots in two hours.

Jack,

Iran's election is about as honest as ours back in 2000

Unless there are independent monitors, watching the ballots and the count, NO election is valid. Most true democracies will have representatives, of all the parties involved, monitoring the handling and counting of votes. Whatever the true count, the Irainian election is NOT valid.

I do not think Iran's election was fair but who are we to judge their election, just look back at our own 2000 presidential election.

Of course the election was not fair. There is no way for the count to get in that quickly or for the numbers to be that lopsided. It just reeks of fraud.

The elections were a sham. Having the Ayatollah verify the results would be like the fox guarding the henhouse. The Ayatolla Khomeni has about as much relevance to free elections as the Archbishop of Canterbury has to the Obama White House.

I doubt they were honest, but then when the counting system goes without checks and balances, they never will be. Further, honesty and religiously ruled countries do not go hand in hand.

Jack,
Of course it was rigged. Its obvious to all with a brain that George Bush and Dick Cheney were behind this fraud. They masterminded the 2000 and 2004 stolen elections here in this country. I'll bet you a night out on the town with my wife – all expenses paid, that the voting machines used in Iran today are the very same Diabold electronic voting machines used in the 2004 election here. Thats why paper balots are so much better, there's a paper record for all to audit and no one can steal elections. The people of Iran are just now finding out what we all knew about Diabold long ago.

Dear Jack,
There is no doubt in my mind that the whole election was a fraud.
They are not allowing a recount … they are killing people on the street…
They are arresting the students by the dozens. This alone is a good enough
Reason that this government is not a legitimate government of the people.
But here are some more.

1) Khamenei had openly sided with Ahmadinejad before the election.Therefore there was no way for him to allow the votes reflect otherwise.
2) Karroubi received less than 1% of the vote. Considering his Popularity it is impossible for him to just get 1%.
3) According to them Mousavi lost in Azabaijan, it is like saying Mr. Obama lost the black vote in Chicago!!
4) How did they count and add up all the votes!! 40 million counting By hand in a matter of less than 12 hours since the election started! no way ….
5) Why did they not allow supervisors from both sides?
6) There are so many eye witnesses as to how ballot boxes were switched.

Best regards
Mina – Texas