Sketchy Shiite options

This article by The New York Times caught my eye.

I was disappointed that Ayad Allawi's party only received 14 percent of the vote, but what is even more disappointing is that the United Iraqi Alliance has failed to reach consensus over their nominee for Prime Minister. They basically came together under the arm of Sistani in order to form a solid Shiite voting block, but now differences among the seperate parties within the alliance is forcing them into a somewhat ackward position.

After meeting for hours with Shiite cleric and politician Abdel-Aziz al-Hakim, members of the United Iraqi Alliance agreed to hold a secret ballot to choose between two former exiles, Ibrahim al-Jaafari and Ahmad Chalabi, said Ali Hashim al-Youshaa, an alliance leader who attended the meetings. The vote is expected Friday.

So that's what it has come down to? Two guys that both have ties to Iran? And what is all of this about consulting clerics about candidates? Why are we suddenly mixing religion and politics?

A close aide to al-Sistani, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the alliance leaders will visit his office in Najaf to get his blessing for their choice for prime minister. If they cannot agree, al-Sistani will decide.

So basically, if they cannot agree, Sistani will name himself right? Great, another mullah at the helm of a Middle Eastern country. Of course, that is the absolute worst-case scenario, however, it is still a scary prospect when one considers that everyone on the table right now has some kind of tie to our dear friend Iran.

Al-Jaafari leads the Dawa Party, known for its close ties to Iran.

Chalabi, 58, who left Iraq as a teen, leads the Iraqi National Congress and had close ties to the Pentagon before falling out of favor last year after claims he passed intelligence information to Iran.

I used to like Chalabi (don't know much at all about Al-Jaafari), but after the whole thing with him and Iran, not to mention false intelligence over WMD's, I am not so sure anymore. Nevertheless, I would be willing to give him a chance. As the article points out, he is a secular Shiite and his party, the Iraqi National Congress, has worked hard over the years to give exiles (which include Kurds) a fighting chance at a new Iraq. We will just have to wait and see what plays out on Friday when the secret ballot is expected to take place.