IRAN: AN UNLIKELY POLITICAL ALLIANCE TAKING SHAPE

A EURASIA report, here

".....Ordinarily, these dissident-conservative elements, which happen to constitute a majority in the conservative movement, would have tried to field a credible candidate to challenge Ahmadinejad. But to everyone’s surprise, they have not done so. This is largely because Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has thrown his full support behind Ahmadinejad, and has taken steps to enforce solidarity among conservative factions. The incumbent is also receiving unstinting support from another key conservative institution - the Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Speaking live on television May 12, Ayatollah Khamenei virtually endorsed Ahmadinejad. Although he did not mention the incumbent by name, it was clear to all listeners who the Supreme Leader was referring to. "We need to elect an official who is a man of the people, who [lives] a modest life," Ayatollah Khamenei said...."