For first time in Egypt's history, Egypt’s two major candidates will
square off Thursday in Egypt's first-ever televised presidential debate -- just
two weeks ahead of the elections:
“Tainted Secular” candidate Amr Moussa, Egypt's former foreign minister and the former head of the Arab League,
enjoys a considerable lead in a recent poll (will try to portray Abol Fotouh as a radical to take the "moderates" from him) will debate Abdelmoneim
Abol Fotouh, an “Islamist-lite” moderate candidate who was once a member of the
Muslim Brotherhood and is endorsed by Liberal Koshari (will try to remind people of the Moussa/Mubrak link and tie him to corruption to take some of the "moderates").
Live Blogging Below (posted during the debate):
- Moussa is comfortable on camera. He tries to use all the buzz words (transparency, people's needs, etc.) in his answers.
- Abol Fotouh is positioning himself as the "revolution" candidate and pro-youth. he sounds sincere and "real" but definitely not as charismatic as Moussa.
- I really hate the irritating alarm to indicate the 2 minute. It needs to be more subtle. We don't need to hear it.
- Moussa is trying to frame Abol Fotouh as reckless due to his position on the recent demonstrations (i.e., flip-flopper). I imagine he'll also try to frame him as a Muslim Brotherhood candidate.
- Abol Fotouh is preparing the ground by reminding the audience of the previous regime, so when he later asks his question, people are reminded of the Mubarak-Moussa link.
- The gloves are off. Aboul Fotouh is on the attack (you were part of the old regime) and Moussa is responding with some temper (you were part of the MB).
- Moussa is re-inventing himself. He is claiming he was not part of the regime as he was out of the government for 10 years (well, at thE Arab League as nominated by Mubarak).
- It's amazing how Moussa is whitewashing his career (is he talking about himself in the third-person?). He talks about the past 30 years as if he was in the opposition.
- Mona is trying to be funny but fails.
- FACT CHECKING: Moussa was not lying when he said that he warned of the possibility of having the Tunisian revolution to Egypt. He did that on January 19, 2011.
- A reader reminded me that Moussa asked the demonstrators to go home in February 2011. Yes, but this is not what he was talking about in the debate.
- Abol Fotouh is pandering to Salafis and Muslim Brotherhood. The whole shara talk will work for him as most Egyptians will feel good about a candidate talking sharia and religion. It is a winning strategy where Moussa can't compete.
- Moussa is trying to frame Abol Fotouh as a flip-flopper while using religion as an example (to reemphasize a certain perception). I think it is not a wise move from Moussa as this provides Aboul Fotouh with the chance to talk religion and gain more points with the Islamists.
- Although we are not a fan of Moussa but he knows how to answer by not answering and even using his answer to attack Abol Fotouh. For example, being removed from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and assigned the Arab League by Mubarak is presented as a proof of being from the "opposition". Shameful but I imagine will fly with many Egyptians who want to not like Abol Fotouh.
- FACT CHECKING: No record of Moussa mentioning he left the Egyptian government in the past because of his disagreement with Mubarak's regime. This only started AFTER the revolution.
- So far the debate is fragmented (due to the 2-minute limitation and not allowing a follow-up questions) and too heavy on religion (which is a strange strategy by Moussa as he and Shafiq already have the Christians vote while Abol Fotouh and Morsi already have the Islamists vote). I wish they'd have a conversation with limited moderation.
- FACT CHECKING: Moussa was "almost" lying when he claimed Abol Fotouh changed his position on religion conversion. I say "almost" because Abol Fotouh did not in the past mention "we have to keep to talking to him to convert back" (he added this part in the debate today). Is this discrepancy material?
- Based on the reaction in the street, Moussa is winning. It feels like a soccer match between Ahly / Zamalek.
- A reader told me that the real winner so far: candidates not participating in this debate :)
- This is why we endorsed Aboul Fotoh (one of the reasons at least). His answer on the SCAF related question. Unliek Moussa he did not pander to the army but held them responsible for the messy transition and transparency of their budget. Indeed he stated his respect for the army (which is fine, expected and not a sign of contradiction).
- So far on the economic front both candidates almost identical (vague and simplistic), however Abol Fotouh scored a point by referring to minimum wages targeting working mothers.
- Moussa is asking Abol Fotouh a question related to subsidies. A good question. Aboul Fotouh is throwing numbers left and right (makes him look knowledgeable, even if later proven to be incorrect).
- Aboul Fotouh is bringing us back to the sharia question. The whole debate is silly. Moussa is again successfully turning the point against Abol Fotouh (objective: scare moderates). Mona decides to move on!
- If I'm Abol Fotouh campaign manager I'd tell him to stop talking about Sharia. The more he talks about it the more he digs a hole for himself. I imagine certain topics are better left vague and as a result different people read what they want into the answer (think Obama during his debates with Clinton).
- Mona can be irritating with her unnecessary explanations about her role.
- Mots UNUSED cards by Abol Fotouh: Youth, Change and Mubarak.
- Most USED cards by Moussa: Experience, Sharia and Radicalism.
- Aboul Fotouh answer to the campaign financing question is excellent. Not sure most Egyptians care about this point though.
- Moussa is raising one of the most stupid questions (and self inflicted wounds) about "Honest Egyptians". Even when he described the question he answered his own question. He gave Aboul Fotouh a golden opportunity to glow and discuss "dishonorable" characters.
- Advice to Moussa: Do NOT Discuss Honesty.
- Moussa is using the same tactic/pattern. Reverting Abol Fotouh's question against him and leaving the audience with a hanging question without Abol Fotouh response. Wise.
- Excellent answer by Abol Fotouh about his past as a member of the Muslim Brotherhood and he is on a roll now.
- Moussa is denying endorsing Mubarak in 2010. Shocking! He is claiming that his Mubarak endorsement was in a comparison between Gamal and Hosni (not true). The video below shows how he plays with words.
Live Blogging Below (posted during the debate):
- Moussa is comfortable on camera. He tries to use all the buzz words (transparency, people's needs, etc.) in his answers.
- Abol Fotouh is positioning himself as the "revolution" candidate and pro-youth. he sounds sincere and "real" but definitely not as charismatic as Moussa.
- I really hate the irritating alarm to indicate the 2 minute. It needs to be more subtle. We don't need to hear it.
- Moussa is trying to frame Abol Fotouh as reckless due to his position on the recent demonstrations (i.e., flip-flopper). I imagine he'll also try to frame him as a Muslim Brotherhood candidate.
- Abol Fotouh is preparing the ground by reminding the audience of the previous regime, so when he later asks his question, people are reminded of the Mubarak-Moussa link.
- The gloves are off. Aboul Fotouh is on the attack (you were part of the old regime) and Moussa is responding with some temper (you were part of the MB).
- Moussa is re-inventing himself. He is claiming he was not part of the regime as he was out of the government for 10 years (well, at thE Arab League as nominated by Mubarak).
- It's amazing how Moussa is whitewashing his career (is he talking about himself in the third-person?). He talks about the past 30 years as if he was in the opposition.
- Mona is trying to be funny but fails.
- FACT CHECKING: Moussa was not lying when he said that he warned of the possibility of having the Tunisian revolution to Egypt. He did that on January 19, 2011.
- A reader reminded me that Moussa asked the demonstrators to go home in February 2011. Yes, but this is not what he was talking about in the debate.
- Abol Fotouh is pandering to Salafis and Muslim Brotherhood. The whole shara talk will work for him as most Egyptians will feel good about a candidate talking sharia and religion. It is a winning strategy where Moussa can't compete.
- Moussa is trying to frame Abol Fotouh as a flip-flopper while using religion as an example (to reemphasize a certain perception). I think it is not a wise move from Moussa as this provides Aboul Fotouh with the chance to talk religion and gain more points with the Islamists.
- Although we are not a fan of Moussa but he knows how to answer by not answering and even using his answer to attack Abol Fotouh. For example, being removed from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and assigned the Arab League by Mubarak is presented as a proof of being from the "opposition". Shameful but I imagine will fly with many Egyptians who want to not like Abol Fotouh.
- FACT CHECKING: No record of Moussa mentioning he left the Egyptian government in the past because of his disagreement with Mubarak's regime. This only started AFTER the revolution.
- So far the debate is fragmented (due to the 2-minute limitation and not allowing a follow-up questions) and too heavy on religion (which is a strange strategy by Moussa as he and Shafiq already have the Christians vote while Abol Fotouh and Morsi already have the Islamists vote). I wish they'd have a conversation with limited moderation.
- FACT CHECKING: Moussa was "almost" lying when he claimed Abol Fotouh changed his position on religion conversion. I say "almost" because Abol Fotouh did not in the past mention "we have to keep to talking to him to convert back" (he added this part in the debate today). Is this discrepancy material?
- Based on the reaction in the street, Moussa is winning. It feels like a soccer match between Ahly / Zamalek.
- A reader told me that the real winner so far: candidates not participating in this debate :)
- This is why we endorsed Aboul Fotoh (one of the reasons at least). His answer on the SCAF related question. Unliek Moussa he did not pander to the army but held them responsible for the messy transition and transparency of their budget. Indeed he stated his respect for the army (which is fine, expected and not a sign of contradiction).
- So far on the economic front both candidates almost identical (vague and simplistic), however Abol Fotouh scored a point by referring to minimum wages targeting working mothers.
- Moussa is asking Abol Fotouh a question related to subsidies. A good question. Aboul Fotouh is throwing numbers left and right (makes him look knowledgeable, even if later proven to be incorrect).
- Aboul Fotouh is bringing us back to the sharia question. The whole debate is silly. Moussa is again successfully turning the point against Abol Fotouh (objective: scare moderates). Mona decides to move on!
- If I'm Abol Fotouh campaign manager I'd tell him to stop talking about Sharia. The more he talks about it the more he digs a hole for himself. I imagine certain topics are better left vague and as a result different people read what they want into the answer (think Obama during his debates with Clinton).
- Mona can be irritating with her unnecessary explanations about her role.
- Mots UNUSED cards by Abol Fotouh: Youth, Change and Mubarak.
- Most USED cards by Moussa: Experience, Sharia and Radicalism.
- Aboul Fotouh answer to the campaign financing question is excellent. Not sure most Egyptians care about this point though.
- Moussa is raising one of the most stupid questions (and self inflicted wounds) about "Honest Egyptians". Even when he described the question he answered his own question. He gave Aboul Fotouh a golden opportunity to glow and discuss "dishonorable" characters.
- Advice to Moussa: Do NOT Discuss Honesty.
- Moussa is using the same tactic/pattern. Reverting Abol Fotouh's question against him and leaving the audience with a hanging question without Abol Fotouh response. Wise.
- Excellent answer by Abol Fotouh about his past as a member of the Muslim Brotherhood and he is on a roll now.
- Moussa is denying endorsing Mubarak in 2010. Shocking! He is claiming that his Mubarak endorsement was in a comparison between Gamal and Hosni (not true). The video below shows how he plays with words.
