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Until September. And who would you have him give power to? There is no democratically selected replacement. Which is why he is waiting for an election, in which

Until September. And who would you have him give power to? There is no democratically selected replacement. Which is why he is waiting for an election, in which he will not be a contender, to give power. People will have time to vet and debate the candidates. You'd rather there be a power struggle amongst radicals leading an angry mob, to see who replaces Mubarak as dictator? I think Mubarak is doing the sensible thing, and at least deserves the benefit of the doubt.

cabalamat 16y ago
Your arguments make sense, and if Mubarak had announced this a week ago, it would have flown. But I doubt the feeling of the people will allow this now. I will be surprised if Mubarak lasts until September, and if he does it won't be without a bloodbath.
robryan 16y ago
Why not hand over power to a deputy until September then? It seems to me that the people really just want him to go, sure they won't support who he hands it over to but I think it will buy them calm until September.
roc 16y ago
> "And who would you have him give power to?" I'm sure the Vice President, while quite possibly a stooge, is perfectly capable of running things until September. As are at least a dozen cabinet- or governor-level officials. That Mubarak would have picked the interim leader doesn't delegitimize the process any more than his staying in place. It would instead underscore his promise and intent to not seek re-election, to not manipulate the process and to seek a peaceful transition of power. And the idea that an interim leader would instead retain power for themselves is farcical. The Egyptian people have expressed their will and surely they could do it again. Unless the entire military apparatus wheeled around on the people, there is simply no option whereby an interim governor could crown themselves dictator.
- mousa 16y ago
  I think the VP and the parliament chair have exhausted any trust too as they've been trying to demonize the protesters for a week. Military guy + committee of OK ministers and opposition is probably going to happen

cabalamat 16y ago

Your arguments make sense, and if Mubarak had announced this a week ago, it would have flown. But I doubt the feeling of the people will allow this now. I will be surprised if Mubarak lasts until September, and if he does it won't be without a bloodbath.

robryan 16y ago

Why not hand over power to a deputy until September then? It seems to me that the people really just want him to go, sure they won't support who he hands it over to but I think it will buy them calm until September.

roc 16y ago

> "And who would you have him give power to?" I'm sure the Vice President, while quite possibly a stooge, is perfectly capable of running things until September. As are at least a dozen cabinet- or governor-level officials. That Mubarak would have picked the interim leader doesn't delegitimize the process any more than his staying in place. It would instead underscore his promise and intent to not seek re-election, to not manipulate the process and to seek a peaceful transition of power. And the idea that an interim leader would instead retain power for themselves is farcical. The Egyptian people have expressed their will and surely they could do it again. Unless the entire military apparatus wheeled around on the people, there is simply no option whereby an interim governor could crown themselves dictator.

mousa 16y ago
I think the VP and the parliament chair have exhausted any trust too as they've been trying to demonize the protesters for a week. Military guy + committee of OK ministers and opposition is probably going to happen