Marianne Williamson compares U.S. election system to Iran’s

DOVER, N.H. — Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson on Friday compared American elections to voting in countries like Iran.

Speaking at a campaign event in Dover, N.H., the author described an “illusion of choice,” and criticized the “political media elite establishment. It’s a corporate establishment.”

"And they will not only tell us what we're supposed to talk about," she said. "They will tell us who we're supposed to choose to even choose between in terms of voting."

Williamson added: "It's kind of like countries like Iran, where you can vote for whoever you want, among the people that they tell you it's OK to vote for. And that's the kind of country that we're living in today."

In a follow-up statement to the Associated Press, Williamson clarified that Iran was “a cautionary tale, not a direct analogy.” She also said the July Fourth holiday “reminds us of our unique place in the world and the hope and light we represent to others.”

However, she added, "When corporate forces begin to dictate our candidates and give us fewer and fewer choices, it is a threat to our foundation." She said all candidates should be welcome to participate "whether they are backed by monied forces or not."

Williamson is polling far below leading 2020 presidential contenders, though her debate performance late last month attracted some attention. She managed to make the June debate stage over more traditional presidential contenders like Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton and Montana Gov. Steve Bullock.