Posted on 10/26/2008 11:11:04 PM PDT by Alter Kaker
Kadima beats Likud in new poll
Dahaf-Yedioth Ahronoth survey published Monday morning points to close race, as Livni takes the lead with 29 Knesset seats, Netanyahu follows with 26 seats. Labor plummets to 11 seats, while Shas may lose power
Kadima Chairwoman Tzipi Livni appears to be enjoying the fruit of her declaration that she will not give in to extortion. A new Yedioth Ahronoth survey conducted by the Dahaf Institute and published Monday morning showed that had the Knesset elections taken place today, Livni would have led Kadima to victory with 29 Knesset seats, the same number of mandates it currently has.
The race, however, is very close, as the Likud headed by Opposition Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu follows with 26 Knesset seats, compared to only 12 seats in the previous elections.
The Labor Party headed by Defense Minister Ehud Barak plummets to only 11 Knesset seats, compared to the 19 it has today.
The survey was held Sunday among 500 people who constitute a representative sample of Israel's adult population. The poll has a margin of error of 4.5%.
Even before she was elected to lead Kadima, polls showed that Livni was the only candidate in her party capable of beating Netanyahu.
It appears that Shas may regret the fact that it chose to reject Livni's offers in the coalition talks. According to the new survey, the haredi party drops to 11 Knesset seats (compared to the 12 it has today). In such a situation, its bargaining power will weaken.
The Pensioners Party, which has seven Knesset members today, may not even pass the threshold needed to enter the Israeli parliament, with only two seats according to the new poll. The Green Party is in a similar situation.
Meretz grows stronger, from five seats it has today to six it receives in the poll. United Torah Judaism receives seven seats – one mandate more than it has today.
According to the poll, Yisrael Beiteinu headed by Knesset Member Avigdor Lieberman will drop to nine Knesset seats from the 11 it has today. The Arab parties will remain with 10 Knesset members, while National Union-National Religious Party loses two seats – from the nine it has today to seven in the survey.
Preparing for elections
Israel's political parties have already begun to prepare for a probable nationwide election, after Kadima Chairwoman Livni informed President Shimon Peres on Sunday that she had been unsuccessful in forming a new coalition government.
Following her interview with the president, Livni gave a short public speech. "I was prepared to pay a price for the formation of a new government, but up until the last minute I was not prepared to risk Israel's financial and political future," she said, hinting at Shas' demands, which Kadima claims were excessive.
She added, "I made the decision to cooperate with certain partners because I believe that compromise is necessary in such a polarized country. I decided to grant needy families financial assistance because I believe the government is responsible for supplying social needs when they are not narrow, sectarian needs."
"I believe a prime minister is chosen first and foremost in order to promote the interests of the state, and anyone who is willing to auction off his ideals for a seat is not worthy of sitting in it," she concluded.
Following the interview with Peres, Kadima announced that it would propose a bill shortening the waiting period for the elections.
MK Yoel Hasson has declared he will initiate the bill, calling for the holding of a general election within 90 days of the bill's proposal, rather than 111, which could be the case if the Knesset does not dissolve itself immediately.
The Labor Party has yet to decide on how it will determine its list of Knesset members ahead of the vote. Chairman Ehud Barak has expressed interest in securing a number of newcomers with a high ranking spot that would guarantee them a place in the next Knesset, and therefore may opt for canceling the party primaries and formulating the roster with the help of a special committee.
Senior Labor party officials are divided on the issue, and Barak is expected to face stiff opposition should he call to annul the primary elections.
Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu has also begun consultations on preparing the party for the general elections, with senior officials postulating that the party primaries will be held in December.
Netanyahu is also in favor of securing several high ranking spots for MKs of his choice on the party's Knesset roster, but most party members would likely oppose such a move.
Netanyahu is reportedly interested in recruiting a number of senior public figures ahead of the elections, including former IDF Chief of Staff Moshe Yaalon and former Likud minister Dan Meridor.
I wonder if Shas will blink and join after all.
Kadima Chairwoman Tzipi Livni appears to be enjoying the fruit of her declaration that she will not give in to extortion.
she’ll give in to arab extortion
That Shas party is no walk in the park. They’d give away half of Israel if Livini would agree to more welfare payments to their followers.
Israel will have to learn they need to have the conservative trifold knot: social, fiscal and national security
I’d call it the Kesher Meshulash Party
Where’s Bibi?
No one can predict anything about this election. The Iran nukes are hanging over our head. The world economy is sliding into oblivion although ours is still strong, but it won’t be if everyone else is going down the tubes. The US election will impact. McCain will mean we have a friend, Obama will mean we have a problem. But it looks like it’s going to be Kadimah vs the Likud with Labor, after 60 years of being a major party, sliding into oblivion.
Likud’s main base is the poor people. In 2002 when our economy teetered on collapse, Bibi became finance minister and through a series of draconian measures righted the ship. Unfortunately he hit the poor people hard and in the last election, these scattered to the four winds and Likud limped in a distant third. But he built a powerhouse economy and the way things are, he’s starting to look very good in the financial area which will be the main issue along with Iran. On the other hand Livni has charisma so it’ll be a good joust.
Forget the polls.
I’m pulling for Bibi.
In the Contract with America, we cut the capital gains tax. But we also increased the child credit for the middle class and we also reformed welfare so that the poor would move into the workforce. We didn’t just wipe out AFDC and let them fend for themselves.
It was a balanced plan that worked on the top, bottom and middle class.
okay, I’m feeling a little better now after a soak and some otc medicine, so one or three more. ;’)
Gamble puts Kadima leader Tzipi Livni ahead in polls for first time
The Times | 10/28/2008 | James Hider in Jerusalem
Posted on 10/27/2008 8:46:21 PM PDT by bruinbirdman
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2117133/posts
Livni: Rising Star of Israel’s Troubled Political Establishment
AFP | May 29, 2008
Posted on 05/29/2008 2:55:38 PM PDT by Cecily
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2023206/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/livni/index
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/likud/index
http://freerepublic.com/tag/kadima/index
-archival-
Barak is hysterical, verging on collapse [Israel’s Barak, not ours]
Jerusalem Post | 8-13-08
Posted on 08/13/2008 8:52:25 AM PDT by SJackson
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2061186/posts
Barak expected to give Olmert ultimatum: Quit, or I walk (Israeli govt. could fall)
Jerusalem Post | 5/28/2008 | Gil Hoffman
Posted on 05/27/2008 4:38:54 PM PDT by mojito
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2022160/posts
Big battle looming between Obama and Netanyahu, if both elected
Global Politician | 8/4/2008 | Ted Belman
Posted on 08/04/2008 12:38:39 PM PDT by SJackson
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2056378/posts
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