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Shades of Obama By Shay Fogelman Tags: Tel Aviv, Ron Huldai  I have never exercised my right, or if you please, my duty, to vote in local elections. All of the cliches, the slogans and the candidates' promises never managed to penetrate my cynical skin and drive me away from work or a cafe just to go to the polls. This time, too, I have not been captured by the declarations and rosy dreams, but I do plan to vote. Not because I think that one candidate will be a lot better or worse than another. There are two candidates who stand a chance: One is the incumbent, a decorated fighter pilot with significant achievements, while the other is a superb parliamentarian, an intellectual and a man of vision. Both are deserving candidates, intelligent and charismatic, who can surely form a coalition, see to urban development, attempt to provide decent public services and even maintain good financial management. Both could shepherd this city through another four years of normal life. Advertisement But despite the fact that both candidates have the necessary qualifications, I have no hesitation when it comes to choosing between Ron Huldai and Dov Khenin. The former represents the arrogance of military generals, the ties to big money, the conceit of piggish capitalism, official indifference, the high-rise apartment buildings of the extremely wealthy and even the construction of a new wing in the city's museum for millionaire Yuli Ofer. The latter stands for the exact opposite: governmental modesty, accessibility, consideration for the disadvantaged, environmental protection and faith in humanity. Perhaps it is premature to eulogize cynicism, old-style politics and governmental postmodernism, but Obama-force winds seem to have been blowing through the streets of Tel Aviv these past few weeks. Today I will deviate from my usual custom, disturb my daily routine and stick a ballot in the ballot box. I will vote for my candidate without the slightest doubt or hesitation. Who? The answer, my friends, is blowing in the wind, the answer is blowing in the wind. Bookmark to del.icio.us   No light at the end Amira Hass / Powerless in Gaza, residents rely on the tunnels. Offensive strikes Report: U.S. secretly attacked dozens of Mideast targets since 2004.   1.   Fogelman sings peans to old communist Khenin 22:38  |  Absolute Sweden 11/11/08

Read & React Aluf Benn: No leader before Olmert explicitly urged return to '67 borders Responses: 173 Nehemia Shtrasler: We shouldn't copy Obama, he should copy us Responses: 32 Report: Hamas says its officials met Obama aides before U.S. election Responses: 162 Moshe Arens: History may judge Bush, Iraq war, very differently Responses: 57 Israel renews fuel deliveries to Gaza, after week-long halt Responses: 94 U.S. Jews to Mormons: Stop baptizing Holocaust victims Responses: 114 More Headlines 00:54 Poll: Secular hopeful Nir Barkat leading in Jerusalem mayoral race 22:05 Nasrallah: Israeli hands that attack Lebanon will be severed 00:57 Abbas says Israel has proposed Jerusalem concessions in the past 19:22 Netanyahu will seek alternative to current peace talks if elected 00:05 Arafat's nephew insists Israel poisoned the late Palestinian leader 15:51 Blair's bodyguard accidentally fires gun at Ben Gurion airport 20:26 Sweden court: Civil servant unlawfully demoted for pro-Israel views 15:58 Report: Hamas says its officials met Obama aides before U.S. election 20:44 IDF files harsh indictments against officers involved in Golan training accident 10:09 Livni distances herself from Olmert comments on '67 borders 01:46 ANALYSIS / No leader before Olmert has explicitly called for return to '67 borders 15:59 UN: Gaza food aid to halt if Israel keeps crossings closed 08:28 Obama, and the first Arab prime minister of Israel 18:21 U.S. Jewish group to Mormons: Stop baptizing Holocaust victims Previous Editions Select Day 11 nov 10 nov 09 nov 07 nov 06 nov 05 nov 04 nov 03 nov 02 nov 31 oct 30 oct 29 oct

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