The votes are still being counted but the gap between the top two candidates (Mursi and Shafik) is too wide for the second tier candidates (Abul Futouh and Sabbahi) to bridge. It is a huge disappointment and one may wonder why we had a revolution in the first place (or perhaps the silent majority never wanted a revolution). Many are already blaming Sabbahi for not supporting Abul Fotouh (fair point but I guess Sabbahi was positioning himself for the next presidential elections) and the Copts for supporting Shafik (stupid point and merely looking for a scapegoat). In other words, the moderates and the non-Islamists are attacking each other while the Brotherhood (and the Salafists) and the Army (and NDP officials) are starting to think of round two. In this dark moment I'm searching for a silver-lining and the only thing I can find is that the total votes of Abul Futouh and Sabbahi (and adding Khaled Ali) amount to almost 40%. This is comforting and a signal that with better organization, maturity and funding the moderates can win in the future. Also, Mursi and Shafik will start soon reaching out to Abol Fotouh and Sabahi to get their endorsements in the round two smack down, which should enable us non-Islamists to influence, to a certain degree, the future (e.g., members of the Constituent Assembly, VP to Sabahhi and Prime Minister to Abol Fotouh). I'm tired.
