Iranian Mullahs swipe Democrat tactics, and the AP goes along for the ride
Say what you want about AP reporter Brian Murphy, but here’s one fellow who doesn’t bury the lede:
Iran’s spy chief used just two words to respond to White House ridicule of last week’s presidential election: “Thank you.” His sarcasm was barely hidden. The backfire on Washington was more evident.
The sharp barbs from President Bush were widely seen in Iran as damaging to pro-reform groups because the comments appeared to have boosted turnout among hard-liners in Friday’s election – with the result being that an ultraconservative now is in a two-way showdown for the presidency.
It’s all Bush’s fault! Yup, Iran’s KGB chief gives the AP the straight story, and the AP runs with it. It’s all Bush’s fault! The hard-liner in the number two spot in the elction, the massive “increase” in voter turnout. It’s all Bush’s fault! Maybe the Iranian KGB goon testified at John Conyers make-believe impeachment hearing the other day: it’s all Bush’s fault! Mr. Murphy: we are sure that the spy thug’s “sarcasm was barely hidden,” but perhaps you misinterpreted whom it was aimed at. (For a complete fisking, see Daffydd ab Hugh at Patterico — HT, Powerline.)
UPDATE
Gosh, even al-Reuters has a different report:
Electoral authorities on Monday ordered a limited recount of Iran’s inconclusive presidential election after reformists accused military organizations of rigging the vote in favor of a hard-line candidate.