Iran

So, high turnout in the Iranian presidential elections, leading to a run-off between a conservative cleric and a not-so-conservative, slightly reform minded cleric. The candidate favouring modernization and reconciliation with US came fifth.

Analysts attribute this to a surge of anti-american sentiment and lessening of apathy after President Bush criticized the Iranian elections... way to go.

What were they thinking? Did anyone honestly think Bush speaking out at that point would encourage reform, or were they deliberately trying to make Iran more hardline? Or just not thinking...

see eg billmon.org or here