What the VP Fight Is Really About

More about the division in the regime caused by Ahmadinejad's VP pick:

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iran-protests22-2009jul22,0,7268956.story

As I previously noted, it seems that a power struggle between Ahmadinejad and Khameini is taking place over Ahmadinejad's selection of Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei as his first VP. Yet why is this taking place and what does it teach us about the inner workings of the regime?

For me, the most plausible theory is that those around Khameini and other hardliners are trying to stop Ahmadinejad from taking over the government by appointing cronies. Mashaei is Ahmadinejad's in-law and is loyal to him. Perhaps this rigged election was meant more to keep Mousavi out of power as opposed to keep Ahmadinejad in power. Since the election could not have been stolen without Khameini, he might feel that Ahmadinejad should be loyal to him. Basically since they stole the election for him, the hardliners want Ahmadinejad to be their puppet, but it seems like Ahmadinejad wants to have his own power.