Once considered fringe, al-Sadr movement now leads anti-U.S. fight

NAJAF, Iraq (AP) Not long ago, U.S. officials and senior Shiite clergy viewed radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr as a fringe figure with a narrow base of support. Times have changed.

In the six weeks since al-Sadr launched an anti-coalition uprising in Baghdad and across central and southern Iraq, the young cleric has been elevated to heroic status, his movement re-energized. His militiamen now control Najaf, Kufa and Karbala.

The uprising has raised fears of eroding support for the U.S.-led coalition among the mainstream of Iraq's Shiite majority, a community emerging from decades of oppression and hoping for political domination when elections are held next year.

Al-Sadr, whose savvy street politics compensate for his lack of scholarly pedigree and oratorical skills, has bolstered his position by bringing the fight to the three holy cities giving his al-Mahdi Army the image of defenders of the faith against an army of ''nonbelievers.''

more...Only a complete idiot could have given this guy heroic status in Iraq. Oh, thats right. We do have an idiot running this country. Thanks Chimpy.