Between Kerry’s one-time assertion that he has broad support from international leaders, and the Republicans’ constant insistence that terrorists are harboring hopes of a Kerry presidency, this week’s foreign endorsements have been generating plenty of attention.
This one, however, is the biggie.
The head of Iran’s security council said Tuesday that the re-election of President Bush was in Tehran’s best interests, despite the administration’s axis of evil label, accusations that Iran harbors al-Qaida terrorists and threats of sanctions over the country’s nuclear ambitions.
Historically, Democrats have harmed Iran more than Republicans, said Hasan Rowhani, head of the Supreme National Security Council, Iran’s top security decision-making body.
“We haven’t seen anything good from Democrats,” Rowhani told state-run television in remarks that, for the first time in recent decades, saw Iran openly supporting one U.S. presidential candidate over another.
Though Iran generally does not publicly wade into U.S. presidential politics, it has a history of preferring Republicans over Democrats, who tend to press human rights issues.
“We do not desire to see Democrats take over,” Rowhani said when asked if Iran was supporting Democratic Sen. John Kerry against Bush.
For months, all we’ve heard is how terrorists in the Middle East tremble at the very idea of Sheriff Bush and his butt-kicking brigade getting another term. The truth is obviously quite different. Iran has been growing stronger and more dangerous over the last four years — and they’d like to stay on track for four more.
I mean, think about it. While Bush went after Iraq, Iran moved forward with its nuclear program. (Bush was only off by one letter.) When the president labeled Iran part of the “axis of evil,” it weakened the country’s reform movement and made the hard-liners stronger.
For crying out loud, the administration was working closely with an Iranian spy, feeding him state secrets, and lavishing him with vast financial and intelligence resources.
Of course Iran wants four more years of Bush. Why wouldn’t they?