I think part of the issue is
wasn’t Mubarak stepping aside in September anyway?
wasn’t Gamal, his son, running in September?
That is how I understood things and Gamal was anticipating taking over where his father left off.
For this reason I can understand why the protesters don’t want to agree to elections under the old dictator, but I don’t think they understand completely what they are trading in for the new regime.
This is just so ultimately sad for the people.
Yes, Mubarak was stepping down in September. Yes, his son was expected to follow him. Now, however, all bets are off. Importantly, his son was not military and had only lukewarm support among the brass. He is out. To maintain discipline among Mubarak’s political followers there will have to be someone quite respected to run in September. That does not include Baradai, a Muslim Brother, a Marxists, or a member of the old political guard. As was the case when Nasser came to power in 1954 and introduced the military dictatorship, it is quite possible that a younger military man will emerge.