Iranian Elections

Dear Victorious,

What do you think of the recent presidential election in Iran - and the protests at the grass roots level that has resulted from it?

Nick W. - New Port Richey, FL

Dear Nick,

I have, as has much of the world, watched the mess unfold in Iran with intrigue. The only thing that I've read or heard about the current president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is that he is great at ticking off the west and that most of the people of Iran don't believe he represents them. For some time now, I've understood that Iranians general like the west and get on well with the west. Most of them are annoyed that their president doesn't share their views.

This morning, the news emerged that the actual votes cast in about 50 Iranian cities exceeded the number of registered voters in those cities. Iranian officials admit that this could account for as many as 3 million votes - or possibly more. But Ahmadinejad won by a margin of more than 11 million votes. So even if the government finds and admits to this voter fraud ... it won't account for the wide margin that Ahmadinejad actually won with.

So was there voter fraud in Iran? Was the election rigged? Do the results actually represent the views of the Iranian people? The fact is that probably only people who know Iran well can have an educated view. I suspect myself that Ahmadinejad is not the people's choice for a leader. But I recognize that is the case in most Muslim countries.

I'm hopeful for two things here. First, I hope the reaction of the protesters will be a wake-up call to the Iranian government to take the interests and views of its people more seriously. Second, I hope and pray that this doesn't become a lightning rod with America. Let us relate to Iran now in a professional and dignified manner that is genuine. In other words, I'm not sure what the problem in Iran is, but I hope America's response is to take the high road.