Qalibaf and Blair

This is of minor interest:

"But the campaign has been more remarkable for the expanded use of modern electioneering techniques, including the use of focus groups by Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf, the leading conservative challenger and a former national police chief.

"Members of his campaign team said they took Tony Blair's New Labour election machine as a model, saying that, while they did not agree with Mr Blair's policies, his methods of targeting particular voters and issues were important. They have also organised large rallies and walkabouts."