Zahra Rahnavard, wife of Iranian presidential reform candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi, is by all accounts a stirring speaker, an energizing personal presence, a respected force in her professional field and someone who enjoys high approval ratings in Iran. For those reasons, many are comparing her to Michelle Obama. But they're looking at the wrong first lady. Zahra Rahnavard is really Iran's Hillary Clinton.

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PD toolbar!A fierce advocate for women's rights, Rahnavard has hit the campaign trail and hit it hard, becoming in many places much more visible than her husband, the candidate. Everywhere she goes, she calls for equal rights for women. And her own political resume is strong, independent of her husband. Prior to the campaign, Rahnavard was chancellor of an Iranian university, one of the centers of Iranian political life, and before that she was a political advisor for Iranian President Mohammad Khatami. So why not a cabinet post for this woman, or even a future presidential run, a la Hillary?

It may not be that far away. A Gallup Poll released yesterday showed that in response to the question of whether women should be able to hold leadership positions in the cabinet and national council, 77% of Iranians responded yes.

For many Iranians, Rahnavard and her husband present what NPR referred to yesterday as a "two-for-one package." (Sound familiar?) But if Rahnavard is Hillary, Mousavi is certainly not Bill; reports often characterize him as soft-spoken and lacking in charisma.

The results of this election remain up in the air, with both Mousavi and incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad claiming victory. Reports of voting irregularities could mean a long road ahead in coming to a final determination. One thing I am sure of, though, is that we haven't heard the last of Zahra Rahnavard.




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