And if I were to put myself into the shoes of the average voter here, I wouldn’t know who to vote for. In fact, it would probably be quite a depressing experience trying to choose between the “lesser of evils” as some have already noted.

Incidentally, there is no clear answer to which is the “lesser evil.” Int he case of Heritage supporters, for example, some say they will vote for Levon because they dislike Serzh while others say they will vote for the latter because they do not want the former to return.

Unfortunately, there is no clear popular figure that is eligible to run in the presidential election and I think it’s too early to say who has what level of real support until the actual campaign begins. It’s also why I think who Raffi gives his support to is of paramount importance — as is where either Artur Baghdasarian or Vazgen Manukian puts there’s in the event of a second round which one or both don’t get through to.

If all three were NOT to support Levon then I think that for sure, he has no chance. If some of them were then it’s another matter entirely.

As for numbers at rallies, I’ve already said my bit on that and see no reason to say anymore.

http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/30/the-numbers-game/

http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/11/05/the-numbers-game-reprise/

Thus, if today he has 37% as you refer to, I’m asking you “How many of those were afraid to voice their REAL, authentic feelings toward SS?”. You should at least guess!

Now, what comes to opposition: I am against inflating figures in general, and this equally refers to the opposition rallies. Yes, Nikol is sure there were 85,000 at the last demonstration, while I think there were around 50,000, and we argued about this figure a lot, though none of us can claim he is 100% right.
In any case, I’m against the opposition’s passive stance or merely complaining of its fortune, etc. And “our team” is one of the main driving forces that won’t let Levon’s supporters be misled by SS and all the fake opposition “leaders”.

It’s funny how well versed the SS supporters are in gambling linguistics.

I don’t know what the hell went wrong after that.

They do not plan elections at all.

20TH ANNIVERSARY OF MOVEMENT WILL BE MARKED THE DAY AFTER THE ARMENIAN ELECTION

KarabakhOpen
03-12-2007 10:33:23

The government set up a state committee to prepare the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Karabakh movement. The starting day is February 20 when in 1988 the Soviet of People’s Deputies of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region and Shahumyan extended a request to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR for the unification with Armenia.

By the way, the Armenian presidential election will be held on February 19, and the outcome may influence the celebration. Especially that most controversies among the candidates of the Karabakh issue. What will the stance of the new Armenian government on the settlement of the Karabakh issue be?

Will the stance of the Armenian government on the Karabakh issue change 20 years after the movement? What new can the Armenian government offer Karabakh in the current situation? The options are quite few.

Nazarian, it’s ironic to think that it was LTP that ended the “golden age” of democracy after the only election that was reportedly free and fair. The system and decline ushered in then has simply been perpetuated under some of Levon’s people — namely Kocharian and Serzh — since. Still, we’re not alone in the CIS on that score so it was probably inevitable.

Anyway, one good thing can be said. In order to try to attract support, LTP is addressing those issues he needs to and looks set to continue in that fashion. On that basis alone he has injected some real discussion and debate into proceedings. The election will definitely be more interesting than in 2003 as a result.

But, alas, it looks like the golden age of Armenian democracy will be the early 90-s for some time to come.

Raffi is the last hope for LTP. Actually LTP team is fighting not for a victory, but for a run-off.
Raffi is a jocker, in pocker terms. In other words - his support almost guarantees supported candidate’s way to run-off.
That’s why prices are high, and nobody knows what to expect.

Run-off is vital for LTP and his team.Only in case of run-off they will get the opportunity to try to unite opposition leaders (that already declined their offer) behind them. And it is the only way to try to exploit “color scenario” in Armenia.

That’s it.