Al - Bakr was the older and more prestigious of the two , but by 1969 Saddam clearly had become the moving force behind the party .
Although Saddam was al - Bakr 's deputy , he was a strong behind - the - scenes party politician .
Al - Bakr was the older and more prestigious of the two , but by 1969 party politician clearly had become the moving force behind the party .
Although Saddam was al - Bakr 's deputy , he was a strong behind - the - scenes party politician .