Two polls showed that Barghouti is tied with PLO Fatah candidate Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), and a third poll put Abbas in the lead. Abbas held an overwhelming lead in the polls towards the Jan. 9 election until Barghouti last week announced his candidacy.
The Fatah party Monday threatened to expel Barghouti from the movement if he doesn't drop out of the race, but his strength will pressure the PA to put on a more radical face, according to many analysts. If he withdraws from the race, it only would be after gaining concessions for a more militant stand by Abbas.
Although Abbas in the past has made demands on Israel similar to those by Yasser Arafat, his suit and tie image and diplomatic efforts have made him popular among Western countries, including the United States.
The Al-Ajeera Arab news service wrote Monday that Abbas "has to disprove the idea that many…have that he is too conciliatory towards Israel," adding he has to win the presidency by a large margin to convince the people that he is a popular choice.
The recent polls have challenged the assumption that Abbas will win. The Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research poll showed 40 per cent support for Abbas and 38 per cent for Barghouti. Abbas outdistanced Barghouti by a substantial margin in a Palestinian Center for Public Opinion poll, but Barghouti overcame Abbas in a survey at the Bir Zeit University.
The Fatah party Monday threatened to expel Barghouti from the movement if he doesn't drop out of the race, but his strength will pressure the PA to put on a more radical face, according to many analysts. If he withdraws from the race, it only would be after gaining concessions for a more militant stand by Abbas.
Although Abbas in the past has made demands on Israel similar to those by Yasser Arafat, his suit and tie image and diplomatic efforts have made him popular among Western countries, including the United States.
The Al-Ajeera Arab news service wrote Monday that Abbas "has to disprove the idea that many…have that he is too conciliatory towards Israel," adding he has to win the presidency by a large margin to convince the people that he is a popular choice.
The recent polls have challenged the assumption that Abbas will win. The Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research poll showed 40 per cent support for Abbas and 38 per cent for Barghouti. Abbas outdistanced Barghouti by a substantial margin in a Palestinian Center for Public Opinion poll, but Barghouti overcame Abbas in a survey at the Bir Zeit University.