Tehran Daily Mail
Jamsheed Zartosht effectively emphasized his position as the sensible middle
LEADERS DEBATE: ZARTOSHT SHINES
Saeed Jalili, Yasser Salim, Jamsheed Zartosht, Khaliq Harun, and of course Davud Akbar met for the most dynamic and interesting leaders debate yet. The opening statements began with a flash, and from the PBC studio, things got dicey quickly. Akbar emphasized national reconstruction under the SDU, the completion of the railroad, and rural outreach. Jalili emphasized the strong moral backbone of the UIC, and criticized Akbar's immigration policy. Salim gave a direct plea for an Iraqi Assembly and Self Determination. Harun emphasized his party's unique positions on several key issues, but Zartosht began truly magically.
"I believe the way things are is not the way things have to be. You're going to be told tonight by these two (motioned to Saeed and Davud) that the only choice you can make is between two parties who've been running things forever. I'm here to persuade you that there is an alternative. I think we have a fantastic opportunity to do things differently for once. If we do things differently, we can create the fair society, the fair country we all want: a fair tax system, better schools, an economy no longer held hostage by greedy bureaucrats, decent, open politics. Those are the changes I believe in. I really wouldn't be standing here tonight if I didn't think they were all possible. So don't let anyone tell you that the only choice is old politics. We can do something new; we can do something different this time. That's what I'm about; that's what the People's Party offers." It many ways it was a breath of fresh air, Akbar's accomplishments still hit hard and were effective, but it was repetitive. Jalili was also repetitive and a bit stiff. Though everyone knows Zartosht, he's never had this kind of exposure before. The debate followed, with Akbar and Jalili beginning a ferocious debate on immigration.
Davud Akbar: This guy's been cozying up to radicals who reminiscence about the tyranny of Khomeini and the corruption of Fereydoun. Mr. Jalili went to the terrorist sympathizers and said, "I'm your guy." His immigration position is a front for insidious and dark racism."
Saeed Jalili: More of the Prime Minister showing his contempt, his hatred of the faithful Muslims in this country. I spoke to devout Muslims, not terrorists. I do not support violence, but Akbar says I do because he has no argument against the fact that bringing thousands of Catholic Europeans who despise our way of life is maybe a bad idea. Let's hope his hate of religious men and women becomes fear come election night."
Zartosht consistently presented compassionate conservatism all night, with centre right positions with a centrist bent. Akbar did well, and Harun also made an impression, and Jalili got his base filled with zeal but the verdict is in on this, Jamsheed Zartosht wins the debate.
The polls put the election within reach for anyone, the SDU only ahead by 7, this is definitely a competitive election. And leaders should treat it that way.
Social Democratic Union (Davud Akbar): 33%
People's Party (Jamsheed Zartosht): 26%
United Islamist Coalition (Saeed Jalili): 24%
New Democracy (Khaliq Harun): 17%