he did not have the proper qualification or credentials to be an iotola. essentially, the person who was going to take over, the founder of the islamic state, he was basically pushed out and has been under house arrest for 30 years now. they decided to ratify the constitution to allow for ayatollah khameni to have that position. ahmadinejad is one of the people who elevate khameni to that position. the way he has survived, having all the insecurities is to say, as i said, above the fray and out of the personal conflicts and essentially, once in a while, if it becomes an issue come out and install some of them yourself. host: up next, the first of two calls from chicago. this is gloria on the line for democrats. welcome to "washington journal." caller: good morning. this is my second time calling. i just tuned in and i heard the gentleman call talking about killing people. a lot of people think about that. i am so happy that the president did come out and speak on the matter. we shouldn't stick our nose in what is going on in iran. that is what the u.s. alw

. >> how long do you suppose iotola will listen to the people's upsetness or displeasure before he decided to seriously get help? jshgsz. >> the regime has to measures. it is unfortunate that -- basige means mobilization of masses. the groups formed to protect hussein from the invasion of iraq. back then they didn't have military equipment. they used the mass of people, using sheer numbers to defend against iraq. they also got involved in a number of causes, having to do with agriculture and other issues. it is unfortunate that their name is related with thuggery and people with clubs and knives to breakup conflict. it is referenced in revolution regard. that is something i'm worried about once the revolutionary guards are involved. once they might do that is tying the protests to foreign middle link. once that happens, that is the name of national security that allows for the revolution guards to pull out. i hate to think what the outcome of that might be. >> let's go to the phones. host: baltimore, maryland on the line for the democrats. caller: good morning. i wanted to see what his tho