IRAN: Obama election inspires even if played down

Mostafa Eqbali, a 54-year-old merchant in downtown Tehran, is exactly the kind of middle-class, middle-of-the-road Iranian whose loyalties and attitudes have generally determined his country’s direction.

The election early this morning of Barack Obama to the U.S. presidency pierced through his preconceptions about the world.

“Let me tell you that now I believe in American democracy,” he said excitedly. “Honestly, I did not think that Obama would be president. I thought that the invisible hands of the big trusts and cartels would not allow a black man to be president of the United States.”

For ordinary Iranians used to a steady diet of negative news about the U.S., the news of Obama’s elevation to the presidency was a shocker.

State-controlled Iranian media did its best to downplay Obama’s election as a simple repudiation of President Bush’s foreign policy rather than, say, an affirmation of American diversity or democracy.

In fact, television stations and radios tried their best to highlight the nondemocratic features of America’s electoral college system.

Iranian TV channels showed no footage of street celebrations in Indonesia or Kenya. And an analyst on one channel described Obama’s slogan of “change” as a matter of tactical image promotion rather than a strategic shift.

Another analyst on state television called Obama window dressing.

"The ruling establishment has decided to mend its widow display, and that is why it was predictable that Obama would be president,” said the analyst.

But on the streets, more jubilant voices emerged. Goldsmith Ali Motaz said he went home Tuesday night at around 10 p.m. and asked his wife and children to forget about watching videos and sitcoms for one night.

''I said, 'Let’s tune in just to Voice of America,''' the U.S.-funded Persian language news and public affairs satellite channel.

He stayed up until half-past midnight before he went to bed. He woke up at 4 a.m., turning on the radio, but still no news.

A few hours later, he woke up again. “I turned the local radio and there he was,” he said, smiling. “The new black president of America.”

Hassan Mosavi, a 47-year-old barber, said he’s been closely following the campaign for days, mostly watching the Voice of America satellite channel. This morning, he awoke to see images of jubilation as Obama’s fans greeted him in Chicago.

“It is a true democracy,” said Mosavi, a former political prisoner. “A black man is victorious. It is important that a man with the middle name Hussein and with Islamic roots is in the White House. He addressed the needs of the poor and grass-roots. He is one of us.”

— Ramin Mostaghim in Tehran and Borzou Daragahi in Beirut

Photo: A woman holds up the Iranian daily newspaper Rozan with a photo of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama. Credit: Hasan Sarbakhshian / Associated Press

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Comments

[Curtis]

I wonder if the 2008 US election in any way inspired or was a catalyst for what we're seeing today in Iran? Hoping for a bright future for the people of Iran!

[byron van buren]

Obama is a blank slate. People put their values and prejudices on the man based on his slogans and high flying rhetoric.
But people don't really listen to him. He has said over and over that he wants to unite red and blue states. He wants to compromise both parties. His agenda is no more radical than Bill Clinton. His advisors are Clinton's. He will try to stay in the center leaning Left.
Look at the bailout: he is not the People's candidate. He works for wall street and the corporations.

[Just Some Guy]

From article:

" 'The ruling establishment has decided to mend its widow display, and that is why it was predictable that Obama would be president,' said the analyst."

An apt observation.

[A]

it's about time you right wing nuts were voted out of office. you and your ignorance and racism has no place in american politics.

[Tony]

As an 73 year od White American Man who has been inspired by Barack Obama through my grandchildren, and by pulling the lever for Obama and a democrat the first time in my life.

Today I see a much brighter future for them. I now see that even in Iran, they are inspired by our choice of President. I think our future, both in America and Iran looks bright.
The Iranian people are not our enemey as we have been told. They share the same hopes for their children. The world is not the same, but better.

[Babak]

By "one of us" he means muslim by the way.

[Sepehr]

As an Iranian I hope by Obama's victory we face some good changes in our relationships with US government.
We are glad about Obama but some worries remains that we hope Obama really make the CHANGE!

[bob]

No, he is not "one of us." His ideas are dangerous. I hope that he will become sober to the real threats and carry on a mission of strength and keep us safe. Otherwise a rood awakening is headed our way. Bush bought us some time. I am concerned that our allies will become nervous and our enemies will become emboldened. This recipe could be one of more armed conflict around the world. I hope he has good advisers that will suggest a tough stance and support for Israel. The prospects for an attack on Iran just became more imminent. I hope that I am wrong.

[Tega]

“It is a true democracy,” said Mosavi, a former political prisoner. “A black man is victorious. It is important that a man with the middle name Hussein and with Islamic roots is in the White House. He addressed the needs of the poor and grass-roots. He is one of us.”

Its amazing to me a 25yr old white male to read that a 47yr old Iranian man feels the same way I do. That our President is one of "us".

Already changes in the world are taking place among the people of the world!