Iran's power games

A NYTimes "analysis" piece poses the idea that this "election" marks the end of internal governmental influence for the big name moderates Rafsanjani, and Khatami, that this display of naked, corrupt power effectively marginalizes them.

(Street protests alone don't generally make that much difference. They require some element from within the recognized power structure to harness the street movement's power to effect change. If the moderates are marginalized, all the street protests in the world won't make a difference.)

And, the crackdown on protesters continues with hundreds more arrests and pro-Ahmadinejad supporters taking to the streets with sticks and violence.