Egypt’s former military leader and top presidential candidate Abdel Fatah al-Sisi is warning journalists not to push for press freedoms or democratic reforms, saying that sort of thing threatens national security.  Al-Sisi is the overwhelming favorite to win the presidential election later this month.

The centerpiece of al-Sisi’s campaign has been restoring stability in Egypt, which has seen much tumult and violence in recent years.  He also wants to make “leaps” in reducing widespread poverty.  But to do this, he says the public must stop massive demonstrations and get behind him.

Al-Sisi held a televised meeting with newspaper editors, and told them that freedoms must be balanced with national security, and that the media should be rallying the public behind “the strategic goal” of “preserving the Egyptian state.”  He also downplayed full democracy as an “idealistic” goal that could take 25 years to reach.

Needless to say, this kind of talk has not sat well with the Egyptian Liberals who initially pushed the “Egyptian Spring” which toppled long-time dictator Hosni Mubarak, only to see their demands for democracy usurped by the autocratic Muhammed Morsi.  Al-Sisi led the military to overthrow Morsi, and his Muslim Brotherhood is now outlawed.  The Socialist candidate polls way behind al-Sisi.  After three years of upheaval, many Egyptian voters appear ready to make the faustian bargain of sacrificing certain freedoms for promises of security.