Subscribe to Print Edition | Sat., September 20, 2008 Elul 20, 5768 | | Israel Time: 21:30 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni (Left) and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. (Reuters) Last update - 10:15 18/09/2008 ANALYSIS / Livni's first priority will be to de-Olmertize Kadima By Amir Oren Tags: Tzipi Livni, Kadima  On Independence Day, while Ehud Olmert was preparing his public fairytale titled "I didn't take a penny for myself," Yitzhak Ben-Yisrael visited Tzipi Livni's home. Ben-Yisrael has every possible title except for: MK, general, professor. Drawing on his expertise in operational research and philosophy, he reached a pertinent political conclusion: that Olmert was on his way out and this was Livni's chance. That conversation launched the campaign that 19 weeks later propelled Livni to leadership of Kadima and a heartbeat away from the premiership. If she were leading a rock group, we could call it Tzipi and the Expectations. She is expected to form a nimble yet stable government, broad enough to avert early Knesset elections yet efficient enough to work and to make policy. Her first priority will be to briskly de-Olmertize the party and to purge the rot and corruption at the top of the government. In practice, this should mean the swift exit of Olmert's crony culture in the Prime Minister's Office and in the cabinet, starting with Haim Ramon and Daniel Friedmann. Advertisement Livni has no time. She may find herself leading a state at war not in a year's time but in a month or even a week, because it is not only Israel that has the initiative. Its enemies - Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas - may be tempted to take advantage of her inexperience. Benjamin Netanyahu could demand the defense portfolio in exchange for agreeing to join the government, as decisions over Iran draw near. That would be too high a price. Continuity and the ability to perform in an emergency justify leaving defense in Ehud Barak's hands. Despite his flaws, there is no better candidate than he in Israel for this job. The eloquent Netanyahu is more suitable for the foreign portfolio. Olmert must move out and make way for Livni without delay. Related articles: Kadima leadership race: What happens next Shas: If Livni wants a coalition, she must fulfill our demands Kadima primary: Key facts about Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni Bookmark to del.icio.us   'The Mossad dove' Official Syrian state paper says Livni can have peace if she desires it. Price of freedom Hamas official: For Shalit, Israel must release prisoners, reopen Gaza crossings.   1.   Old crisis continues despite new leaders unless 09:07  |  Shimon Cleopas 18/09/08   2.   Wisdom of Solomon needed 09:08  |  Shimon Cleopas 18/09/08   3.   De-Olmertizing Kadima??? 09:57  |  Dagma 18/09/08   4.   Levi - Barak duo most desirable....but.... 11:31  |  Esther 18/09/08   5.   Start with yourself 12:05  |  Paul 18/09/08   6.   purge the rot and corruption at the top of the government 12:26  |  Dr. David Feigenbaum 18/09/08   7.   TORAH CODES - BEWARE NETANYAHU 12:36  |  Barry S Roffman 18/09/08   8.   I will bet you money that 13:12  |  HOWARD 18/09/08   9.   Livni/Rice/Palestine....... 13:49  |  Dolly 18/09/08   10.   Tzipi Livni first or last station 13:56  |  H.H.M. 18/09/08   11.   Ms. T. Livni. Clearing the decks. 14:04  |  Stephen. 18/09/08   12.   Don`t give Foreign Relations to Bibi. Here is why. 22:27  |  Fortuna Benmayor 18/09/08   13.   how is she going to de-olmertize kadima when she is olmert all 05:55  |  glenna 19/09/08   14.   A Query Regarding Proportional Representation 21:11  |  chet 20/09/08

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