Bibi gets the nod
posted at 10:58 am on February 20, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Despite coming in slightly behind Kadima and Tzipi Livni in the Knesset, Benjamin Netanyahu has been granted first shot at forming a government in Israel. The former Prime Minister, known for his hard-line approach, says he’ll try first for a national-unity government with Kadima. Livni may make that difficult:
Israeli President Shimon Peres invited Benjamin Netanyahu to form the next government.
After hearing from Peres Friday, Netanyahu, who leads the Likud Party, immediately invited Tzipi Livni, the leader of the Kadima Party, and Ehud Barak, the leader of the Labor Party, to form a national unity government.
Kadima got one more Knesset seat than Likud, but had a much more difficult path to forming a majority coalition. It won’t be easy for Bibi, either; he faces conflicting policy issues within the conservative sphere that could easily fracture partnerships at the inception of his government. He would much rather move to the center and rely on Kadima and Labor if just for the stability that such a partnership would provide.
For their part, Livni and Barack have strongly suggested that they’d rather oppose Netanyahu than join him. Livni refused to consider Netanyahu for the top spot in a coalition before, infamously jotting down that thought on a note that got spotted by television cameras in a Cabinet meeting. They recall Netanyahu’s strong rightward governance in his previous term and want nothing to do with it, although Netanyahu himself says that he would govern closer to the center if given another chance.
Does Peres’ pick send a message to the Obama administration? The White House did a poor job of keeping their preference a secret, pushing Livni through a number of leaks since the Israeli elections. Livni had participated in the Annapolis talks and was seen as much closer to Obama on the issue of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. The selection of Netanyahu may be a reply that tells Obama to keep his nose out of Israeli internal politics.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »
I wish he were our president.
doug1981 on February 20, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Woohoo!!!!
At least there’s one world leader I can believe in!
BIBI ROCKS
rockmom on February 20, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Now if we could just get Obama to keep his nose out of American internal politics we might be ok.
DCJeff on February 20, 2009 at 11:01 AM
This is great news….. I am very happy this happened. Obama… get thee behind me!
MNDavenotPC on February 20, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Ya think???
rockmom on February 20, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Thank God!
America1st on February 20, 2009 at 11:02 AM
awww, poor Obambi. You cant always get what you want..
becki51758 on February 20, 2009 at 11:03 AM
This is terrific – and just what’s needed in the Middle East!
Godspeed, Mr. Netanyahu!
Corky on February 20, 2009 at 11:04 AM
President Ogabe immediately begged for a meeting with Assad, Ahmadinejad and Abbas to discuss this troubling situation.
Bishop on February 20, 2009 at 11:04 AM
BiBi you the man.You people in the west bank, gaza and Iran there a new marshal in town.
thmcbb on February 20, 2009 at 11:04 AM
Paging Dr. Freud.
JiangxiDad on February 20, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Good.
Y-not on February 20, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Bibi…Bambi
Bambi..Bibi
WashJeff on February 20, 2009 at 11:06 AM
That’s right Israel, tell Obambi that he doesn’t control your future.
Lance Murdock on February 20, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Livini’s party may disintegrate if they go totally opposition because she can’t have a rotating PM turn. She appears to be pouting. Not a good thing in an attractive woman.
a capella on February 20, 2009 at 11:08 AM
But…I won…damnit.
Birch Barlow on February 20, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Remember President Obama – Israel has the bomb.
Iran wants the bomb and wants to wipe Israel out.
If push comes to shove what do you think will happen?
So, Mr. President, why alienate the one with the bomb
and encourage the other who wants the bomb?
izoneguy on February 20, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Things don’t seem to be going the way the One would like, methinks.
genso on February 20, 2009 at 11:09 AM
It is ‘kinda-sorta’ good news but Netanyahu will be limited in his power by the close vote and the consequent need to compromise-and, should there be disharmony, Netanyahu’s administration will be short lived.
MaiDee on February 20, 2009 at 11:09 AM
The damned Obama administration couldn’t hide easter eggs from the blind. Their incompetence is staggering.
portlandon on February 20, 2009 at 11:10 AM
It’s good and bad. He will take a tougher line with Hamas than Livni.
The bad news is that Obama and now shovel all of the blame for continued violence in Gaza onto Bibi and his unwillingness to “reach out to the Palestinians.” The only time Bibi will reach out to terrorists is to grab them by the throat.
Exit question: Why didn’t the Civil Rights Movement “reach out” to the KKK in the 60s?
RadioFreeUSA on February 20, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Although far from perfect, he was infinitely better then the vapid Livni and the vain, incompetent, insolent and cowardly corrupt non entity Ehud Olmerde.
Hilts on February 20, 2009 at 11:16 AM
The sophisticated voters of the Grand Republic elect a god while the tiny new country on the block elects a Teddy Roosevelt. Good on you Israel. We need humbling.
Limerick on February 20, 2009 at 11:16 AM
I Second the motion…
landlines on February 20, 2009 at 11:16 AM
At the risk of sounding vapid, I rank Netanyahu as the sexiest world leader evah.
He’s not bad for an old guy.
patriette on February 20, 2009 at 11:17 AM
The former Prime Minister, known for his hard-line approach
Does that mean that his opponent Livni was known for her weak-line approach?
Hilts on February 20, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Don’t forget back in the 1990s, Clinton sent James Carville over to run Labor’s campaign against Likud in order to make sure Bibi (or Sharon) wouldn’t be running Israel, so having a Democratic administration trying to undermine a conservative Israeli government is nothing new.
However, Clinton’s motivation was mainly self-centered — having Labor in power would mean a better chance of a deal with Arafat and a better chance Bill would get a Nobel Peace Prize out of the deal. With Obama, there’s no doubt there are more higher-ups within his foreign policy crew who have a visceral hatred of Israel and a sympathy for groups like Hamas no matter which party is leading the Israeli government.
Netanyahu’s victory might give them cover to be against Israel and not tick off Obama’s liberal Democratic Jewish supporters/donor base because he’s considered by them to be Newt Gingrich with a yamakah, but odds are the Samantha Power wing is going to show their pro-Palestinian cards on the wrong thing sometime in the next four years.
jon1979 on February 20, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Reads like a press release from the opposition, really.
Reaps on February 20, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Why didn’t the Civil Rights Movement “reach out” to the KKK in the 60s?
They didn’t want to subject Robert Byrd to another senate filibuster?
Bishop on February 20, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Damn good question, perfectly contextualized.
Quetzal on February 20, 2009 at 11:20 AM
Bibi tell the Messiah to STFDaSTFU!
There IS a God…
(and he’s laughing at Obamby and saying)
Your NOT the Messiah…
Mark Garnett on February 20, 2009 at 11:20 AM
I guess the Juice don’t believe that Obama is the risen one.
MDWNJ on February 20, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Good. I like Bibi. Hopefully he’ll get it and keep it all going.
The funniest thing is when I think of an articulate, intelligent leader, Bibi is the one I always think of. He’s incredibly well spoken and intelligent. And can do it without the aid of a teleprompter. (maybe the One can get some pointers….)
mjk on February 20, 2009 at 11:23 AM
*Ash*
“Army of Darkness”
Not Over.
1GooDDaDDy on February 20, 2009 at 11:23 AM
i am just so afraid that Bibi will have to save the Middle East all by himself. we sure don’t look like we know what we’re doing, do we?
kelley in virginia on February 20, 2009 at 11:24 AM
The Chicago Sun Times will disagree with you. Front page cites an online poll which ranks Obama as #1 hero in the world. Jesus came in 2nd.
A desperate and disturbing headline but not such bad news. If the Sun Times is grasping for straws like this poll to continually pump up their Idol, then it is clear they are running out of ammo to prop him up. The more ridiculous, the more obvious he is falling from grace.
sherry on February 20, 2009 at 11:26 AM
The right man,at the right time in History!
Benjamin Netanyahu knows the stakes,and he’s
a man of action!
Going to be interesting how he handles Hopey!
canopfor on February 20, 2009 at 11:28 AM
The last great politician educated at Harvard.
Elizabetty on February 20, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Yeah, they won’t be able to keep themselves from doing it. Actually, I hope it happens sooner, rather than later. If Israel goes after Iran, they won’t be able to restrain themselves in the face of every civilized nation breathing a sigh of relief.
a capella on February 20, 2009 at 11:28 AM
let’s review what we like about Bibi: 1: he is not a communist 2: he is not a coward 3: he knows what is going on in the Middle East.
I’d say he is the exact opposite of bambi.
kelley in virginia on February 20, 2009 at 11:30 AM
Damn that was funny.
Buckley F. Williams on February 20, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Then I am as vapid as you!
sherry on February 20, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Hey, I always thought Dan Gillerman was hottie too! ;-) Men who are strong and will fight for their country always are.
Renwaa on February 20, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Thank GOD!!!
shooter on February 20, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Easy girls….. ;)
genso on February 20, 2009 at 11:36 AM
From Wikipedia:
Some bad–
Some good–
He’s great on paper, but he’s not a great military strategist like Sharon, nor a political genuis like Begin. He’s the best they’ve got, as some have said, but I just am not that inspired, seeing him as PM.
smellthecoffee on February 20, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Oboo-boo is so out of his league; he makes a mockery of strong leadership, thus making all of us look like feckless fools. He is a weakling, being played like a pawn by Putin, et al.
Israel, with Bibi in control, will move decisively and quickly, like a true leader. And the libs say the grown ups are in charge here in America now- mind boggling.
Ris4victory on February 20, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Gillerman has a wicked sense of humor, too. Great combination, that – strength and laughs.
ProfessorMiao on February 20, 2009 at 11:40 AM
Yup. Me too.
ExTex on February 20, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Don’t forgot back in the 1990′s…
jon1979 on Feb 20,2009 at 11:18AM.
jon1979:I as well remember,and mentioned it awhile back,
anyhow,isn’t it interesting how and when Liberal
Democrats choose to get involved in other countries!
And to top it off,its to spread Liberalism around
the world!:)
canopfor on February 20, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Ha! It’s the power thing. I can’t help myself.
sherry on February 20, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Barak.
baldilocks on February 20, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Good. Israel needs a leader with some cojones, now more than ever, with weak-kneed, Muslim-appeasing O’Idiot in the White House.
AZCoyote on February 20, 2009 at 11:45 AM
+2. He was smokin’ Hawt back in the day.
baldilocks on February 20, 2009 at 11:48 AM
AWESOME!!!!!
JeffVader on February 20, 2009 at 11:49 AM
They already have. Today’s editorial in the WSJ, entitled Obama’s Durban Dalliance reports (and was in NRO as well) that the US is flirting with re-joining the UN’s racist and anti-semitic conference on racism, called Durban II. According to the WSJ, the first Durban conference held in 2001 was chiefly notable as a virulent display of anti-semitism.
Last Saturday night, under the cover of stealth, the Obama admin. announced
JiangxiDad on February 20, 2009 at 11:53 AM
He has a great speaking voice too. I hope he gives lots of interviews to American TV.
patriette on February 20, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Very possibly, and if…er when Obama takes a submissive stance with Hamas I hope he publicly tells him to piss off.
This would beg the question, though: How much will Israel distance themselves from their biggest and best (and only?) military and financial supporter?
SouthernDem on February 20, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Way to be America-centric. I know you like to take cheap shots at Obama whenever you can, but this is off-base.
It was clear from the end of the election that Bibi had the best chance of forming a coalition, which is why he was expected to be given the chance to go first. Livni was a longshot. You are reading way too much into an improbable event *not* occurring.
tneloms on February 20, 2009 at 11:55 AM
One of the only good actions taken by Peres during his entire term.
It will be fun watching Hamas fill its trousers over this.
MadisonConservative on February 20, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Scorched Earth, here we come!
t.ferg on February 20, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Do you think the media will put him on much given that he is the natural foil to Obama?
genso on February 20, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Thank God for Netanyahu.
beachgirlusa on February 20, 2009 at 12:02 PM
John Kerry too. Aparently he’s in Gaza, receiving a “note” for Obama. Accompanying him are
Two U.S. congressmen, Reps. Brian Baird (D-Wash) and Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), who also toured the Gaza Strip Thursday said in a joint statement that the postwar suffering was “staggering” and called Israel’s limitations on aid “indefensible.”
JiangxiDad on February 20, 2009 at 12:02 PM
I don’t think we will be seeing our “Dear Leader” standing side by side at a podium in Israel anytime soon.
yakwill83 on February 20, 2009 at 12:04 PM
What a shocker.
So when can we investigate him for a serious conflict of interest?
MadisonConservative on February 20, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Liberal Idiots and TRAITORS!
Mark Garnett on February 20, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Freud strikes again.
Beo on February 20, 2009 at 12:07 PM
And if we could get Feinstein to keep her mouth shut…
and if we could get rid of the stimulus porkage,,,
and if we could get democraps to pay their freaking taxes….
and… feel free to add on!
4shoes on February 20, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Remind me again who is subsidizing who here. The U.S. gives Israel some $3 billion in Foreign Military Financing every year. If they don’t listen to Obama on halting settlement growth, maybe we should think about cutting off that aid.
AJB on February 20, 2009 at 12:14 PM
I love this man! There are going to be even more difficulty for Israel and he needs to be head of that country! I absolutely love the fact that President Obama doesn’t want him in there! President Bush was a great ally of Israel unlike our current president….Israel needs Mr. Netanyahu.
Eyvonne on February 20, 2009 at 12:16 PM
Oh, I’m with you.
Hey, how about we make some really trendy posters and tshirts and write about our fantasies in major newspapers…?
Mommypundit on February 20, 2009 at 12:16 PM
Netanyahu is a great man! It is time he leads Israel.
txstar on February 20, 2009 at 12:16 PM
No more threats. Do it or not. I don’t think Israel will sell their soul for $3 billion.
genso on February 20, 2009 at 12:16 PM
Please do it there…. ;)
genso on February 20, 2009 at 12:18 PM
We will never get the chance to investigate liberals ever, ever again. Wonder what happened to that ACORN federal investigation? Oh yeah, they got fed funds instead. What happened with the fannie/freddie debacle? Oh nothing. Anyone wonder why we can’t get info on Obab’s illegal campaign contributions? Exactly.
Criminals, all.
Mommypundit on February 20, 2009 at 12:18 PM
This is fantastic news! It is the best news since November.
Netanyahu is just the man to stand against Obama’s untenable ideas about the Middle East.
SimplyKimberly on February 20, 2009 at 12:19 PM
I guess it would be a welcomed change from the salivating over Obama’s man boobs and dad-jeans.
Mommypundit on February 20, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Netanyahu doesn’t take crap from anyone! And if Livi would get in there Obama would work his magic on her and Israel would be in deep do do!
Eyvonne on February 20, 2009 at 12:20 PM
LOL! “dad-jeans?” Too funny
genso on February 20, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Good for him.
Good luck.
getalife on February 20, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Every missile launched by Hamas was another vote for Likud. Blowback goes both ways.
BohicaTwentyTwo on February 20, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Let Obama finish his yarmulkah-shaped waffle.
Go Bibi!
profitsbeard on February 20, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Parliamentary republics seem to have the hardest time “forming a government” and keeping it “formed,” just when they need it the most.
Kralizec on February 20, 2009 at 1:05 PM
Did the message go flashing around the IDF?: “Bibi’s Back”
mojo on February 20, 2009 at 1:07 PM
This is very disturbing to me. I read this in the Corner yesterday about how the U.S. delegation is behaving at Durbin II. Rather than protest at a couple of points, they were silent:
INC on February 20, 2009 at 1:11 PM
Netanyahu is the perfect man for the job.
Maxx on February 20, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Just wait for Bibi’s blast about the U.S. betrayal on Durban. He’ll keep his powder dry until he forms a government but after that it’s gonna get ugly. This is going to hurt Obama badly.
rockmom on February 20, 2009 at 1:13 PM
This is great news IMO. No, Bibi won’t be able to govern as he’d really like, given the current political realities in Israel, however he also wouldn’t take any crap from the empty suit in the White House.
Bibi rocks, and he may be the only man the Iranians will fear.
ornery_independent on February 20, 2009 at 1:13 PM
Please tell me you’re making that up.
capitalist piglet on February 20, 2009 at 1:31 PM
I shouldn’t even go here, but what the heck. The guys do it all the time.
Bibi is most definitely in the running for sexiest man on earth.
There. I said it.
capitalist piglet on February 20, 2009 at 1:34 PM
LOL! “dad-jeans?” Too funny
genso on February 20, 2009 at 12:21 PM
You know the kind. My dad wears them. Kind of high. Light blue. heh.
Just doesn’t scream hot to me, you know?
http://bikenwalk.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/barack-on-bike.jpg
Mommypundit on February 20, 2009 at 1:36 PM
HE. HAS. NOT. DONE. ANYTHING. IN. HIS. LIFE.
oh my gosh. Jesus, take me now.
Mommypundit on February 20, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Definitely. Of course, Obama will win and, apparently, Jesus will come in at a neat third place.
Mommypundit on February 20, 2009 at 1:39 PM
LOL – I know! It’s absurd! I feel like I’m having a non-stop nightmare with this clown…
capitalist piglet on February 20, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Shift gears. If you haven’t read Atlas Shrugged, do it now. The book’s too long by half, the writer sucks, the story is absurd, but the parallels between what she envisions and what is going on before my very eyes are unbelieveable.
I keep hearing phrases from the Democrats that could have been lifted from the book, which was written in 1957 by a libertarian lady with some pretty powerful sexual fantasies.
Jaibones on February 20, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Btw, it won’t help. But you’ll get a lot of yucks.
Jaibones on February 20, 2009 at 1:53 PM
That was a great review. I agree completely. And it’s a must read. Well done.
JiangxiDad on February 20, 2009 at 2:01 PM
Being honest, I still wake up thinkinh someone, anyone, is going to indict him on any number of things and America can do one, grand “take back.” It just feels so surreal…like, a tragic mistake we can’t undo…I distract myself with Pottery Barn catalogs.
Mommypundit on February 20, 2009 at 2:07 PM
thinking. sorry.
Mommypundit on February 20, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »