Antonescu - Geoană, a second-hand confrontation

The energy of the confrontation in Cluj between presidential candidates Traian Băsescu and Crin Antonescu was absent in the spontaneous debate held on Wednesday by Antena 3 TV channel, which this time hosted Crin Antonescu and Mircea Geoană.

Their meeting on the tube, which was somewhat accidental, consisted of 50% unintelligible noise, 15% moderator and 15% "you"re lying! no, you"re lying"-type exchanges.

The remaining 5% was simply the blank screen waiting for the commercials.

The truth is that any confrontation between Geoană and Antonescu puts them in a rather awkward position.

Before the first round of the presidential elections, these two candidates are like two slices of bread that can"t figure out what they should put between them to make a sandwich - butter and honey, or sardines and lemons?

If the rumors running around are true, namely that Voiculescu and Sorin Ovidiu Vântu have picked Geoană as the candidate they plan to back for the second round, it understandable why Antonescu would be grumpy, while Geoană would remain calm, friendly, civilized and conciliatory. Geoană isn"t interested in the confrontation with Antonescu, because he wants to get the votes of his supporters should he get to the second round.

"Once the president gets elected, will we preserve the current parliamentary majority, will we maintain the current parliamentary majority so we can form a government?", Geoană asked Antonescu (it"s the only thing he"s really interested in).

Antonescu, visibly caught off-guard, replied hesitantly that he would not form a government with a liar as president.

However, Geoană is immune to insults, because he knows it"s the television editing that decides the outcome, rather than these confrontations.

"I am a supporter of Western democracy", said Geoană, causing Antonescu to grin in disgust, without uttering any biting reply.

The wit that characterized Antonescu"s confrontation with Băsescu, seems to have left him, when fighting Geoană.

Truth be told, in order to be witty, you need to have someone to work with.