I can't see this as anything but a huge win. For Iran, for the rest of the world, for everyone.

[winterbadger]

from The NY Times

In a striking repudiation of the ultraconservatives who wield power in Iran, voters here overwhelmingly elected a mild-mannered cleric who advocates greater personal freedoms and a more conciliatory approach to the world.

The cleric, Hassan Rowhani, 64, won a commanding 50.7 percent of the vote in the six-way race, according to final results released Saturday, avoiding a runoff in the race to replace the departing president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose tenure was defined largely by confrontation with the West and a seriously hobbled economy at home.

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[tfcocs.livejournal.com]

FWIW, I am amazed that this election ended in this fashion. I remember what was happening in 2009, what with the smoke and mirrors; that this happened is analogous to Benedict being replaced by Francis ;-).