8 Responses to “Is Mubarak Running?”

1. 1 Mavenette Apr 27th, 2005 at 12:24 am

   I think Mubarak will keep his plans to run for another term on the down low, long enough for anyone who has presidential aspirations to come out of his shell. Then come September his name will suddenly appear on the ballot and he’ll give his “opposition” a run for their money.

2. 2 ulindsey Apr 27th, 2005 at 8:09 am

   I think we can expect an orchestrated campaign to “convince” Mubarak to run. After all, he says again and again that he is only president because of the will of the people. I think “the people” are going to have to step up and prove him right soon. we can expect more pro-Mubarak banners, rallies and so on.

3. 3 Issandr El Amrani Apr 27th, 2005 at 8:58 am

   I second Ursula, and would add this is classic Hosni: keep them waiting for the last minute, hanging on your every word. This TV interview has been massively anti-climactic, he’s just postponing any decision until the last minute. We saw this on 26 February with the surprise constitutional amendment, with the refusal to appoint a VP, with the fact that there is no clear successor. Keeping people waiting for his motives is an effective psychological tactic: it puts him at the center of attention and amplifies his power, and at the same time it makes clear that everyone is dependent on him and must wait for his decision for any political planning. It’s an attitude that’s incredibly disrespectful of the Egyptian people and very much in line with a Pasha’s (or senior military officer’s) way of thinking: my decision is what matters, everything under me will have to wait.

   I guess none of this is surprising, but I think it is under-estimated as a psychological tool that keeps everyone waiting with baited breath (including ourselves) and the press lauding every move as a revolutionary breakthrough and every delay as a some kind of political thriller. It’s a power game.

4. 4 Frederik Apr 27th, 2005 at 10:31 am

   Referring to the earlier discussion on the role of the military in today’s politics, I have the impression that not only the Egyptian people, but also the military has been addressed here. To tell them that he still knows where he is coming from, after all this talk about elections and with Gamal possibly a non-military leader in the presidency…buttering them up a bit.

   This in turn would allow speculations on the way they see things at the moment.

5. 5 Hosni Mubarak Apr 27th, 2005 at 6:36 pm

   If nominated I will run; if elected I will serve. Resistence is futile!

6. 6 Issandr El Amrani Apr 27th, 2005 at 6:44 pm

   Hosni, I now have your IP address. You’re toast!

7. 7 kate Apr 28th, 2005 at 5:02 am

   hosni, are you playing coy?

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