Poll: 47% of Likud members would back Netanyahu, 30.5% prefer PM

[lovuian]

http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/616786.html

Poll: 47% of Likud members would back Netanyahu, 30.5% prefer PM

By Yossi Verter, Haaretz Correspondent

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's detractors and rivals would have looked at Wednesday's newspaper headlines that festively herald the end of the Jewish settlement enterprise in the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank with some degree of solace in their hearts and minds - the belief that Sharon, the man who brought about this calamity and shattered their dreams is rapidly approaching his final days in the Prime Minister's Office.

It is not fact; it is only a belief and a hope - and also the concern of many in the political establishment who believe that if Sharon is not reelected Likud chairman, he will not be reelected prime minister.

Facing them, there are those who are convinced that every end is merely a beginning, and that Sharon will again show his skill at turning failure into success, a disadvantage into an advantage, and will return for a third term in office, with or without the Likud.


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It looks like Bush & Blair are not the only ones in trouble at the polls!!! Sharon is having hard times too!!!

[Maple]

1. Last thing the world needs right now

is Netanyahu back in there!

[stepnw1f]

2. Good.... (nt)

[bluesoul]

8. Incredible

Wow as though Sharon was not rightwing (extremist) enough, someone here actually desires a more hardcore version in the form of Netanyahu??

That may be good only for those that DON'T want peace, as this was one of the few good moves Sharon actually made towards (a lasting) peace and for that he pays the price by losing "popularity". Now if that isn't sad enough.

A society that much to the right, going into the hands of extremists, spells big trouble for their neigbours as well as themselves and their safety and peace with others. Don't wish for the worst, dude...

[rockymountaindem]

3. Don't gloat.

Netanyahu is more right wing than Sharon. He's popular now because he was opposed to the Gaza pullout.

[whalerider55]

4. if netanyahu is looking better than sharon...

the whole middle east is in trouble...

it would be comparable to the US re-electing Nixon in 1980, after he'd spent a four year term out of office.

why is the leadership gene pool so thin everywhere?

whalerider

[Maple]

5. I've been noticing that too

Seems like most countries are having the same problem...no choice.

Or wuss, and wusser!

[Coastie for Truth]

9. And who's the GOP here going to put up in 08

Jeb

"Doctor" Bill Frist

Rick Santorum

or maybe James Dobson or Pat Roberston (he did run once)

Here on DU we have beaten to death how few Dems are in the race for '08.

[bluestateguy]

6. We can trade

They can have Bibi back, and we'll take Sharon as our president. He'd be Bush Lite, but Bush Lite is still better than Bush.

[KC21304]

7. Haven't Netanyahu and his followers done enough

to further hatred in this world ? I will never forgive him for his contribution to the death of Rabin.:cry:

[Fight_n_back]

10. Thats good news for the left

Sharon is going to pay politically for doing the right thing which is why politicians so rarely do the right thing. Finding excuses to extend the status quo probably would have worked to his short term benefit. As it stands now he may end up losing the hard right nutballs leaving the people who read more than just one book and the Israeli Arabs a chance to take control of the government. Those two groups have not voted in numbers in the last two elections.

Im not sure what effect that would have on the peace process but it would certainly improve the Israeli economy and the West Bank human rights situation.