Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., November 27, 2008 Cheshvan 29, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:34 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate GA 2008 Travel Week's End Anglo File

The economic plan / Livni's trap By Yossi Verter Tags: Israel News, Tzipi Livni Kadima, the ruling party that polls are predicting will be ousted in February, breathed a sigh of relief yesterday: Finally, the Kadima-controlled Finance Ministry is doing something about the economic crisis. Maybe that will halt the hemorrhage of electoral support. Maybe that will convince a frightened public that economic leadership does not exist only in the Likud. This, in brief, is the trap in which Kadima's prime ministerial candidate, Tzipi Livni, is now caught: She is not viewed as an authority on economics, while Kadima's finance minister, Roni Bar-On, is controversial. The only Kadima member who could implement a dramatic economic move is Prime Minister Ehud Olmert - and he is Livni's enemy. Advertisement She does not want to be seen in his company, and he has no interest in helping her. In Washington last night, Olmert announced that he, too, has a plan, which he will present to the treasury today. If it is implemented, and succeeds, he will get the credit, and he will make sure to dwarf Livni's role. If it fails, the failure will be attributed to the Kadima government as a whole - and Kadima is Livni, however hard she tries to hide it. It is already clear that this election will revolve around the economy. In the run-up to February 10, the economic data will only get worse and the media are already dwelling on economic issues day and night. Defense is marginal, the peace process nonexistent. In the United States, the economy liquidated John McCain's presidential bid, even though he had nothing to do with the financial collapse, and elevated Barack Obama, despite his lack of experience. It is all a matter of image, of mass psychology. Here in Israel, if the crisis worsens in the coming weeks voters will also seek change - and absurd though it sounds, Benjamin Netanyahu is seen as representing change. The Labor Party is counting on Kadima's collapse and hoping to reap some of the spoils - two or three seats. Labor has some economic experts, first and foremost Prof. Avishay Braverman, and is now seeking others. And Netanyahu, of course, has himself. He is so pleased with himself that he even has time for gimmicks: yesterday, a press conference with former basketball star Tal Brody, and today, a press conference with former entertainer Sefi Rivlin. Both are running for places on Likud's Knesset slate. The circus has come to town. One can only hope that Likud members, who will chose the party's slate on December 8, will not confuse Sefi Rivlin with veteran MK Reuven Rivlin. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Who's missing? Haredi parties absent from Jerusalem coalition for first time in decades. 'Kavosh 2' Amid nuclear tensions, Iran says it successfully launched rocket.   1.   She is an expert on the following: 12:48  |  Livni 26/11/08   2.   "The circus has come to town." 13:08  |  Zev 26/11/08   3.   Don`t know much `bout geography 13:27  |  Gideon Reader 26/11/08

Read & React Documents reveal IDF killed wanted Palestinians against court guidelines Responses: 178 Israel asks Bush to explain its 'special relationship' with U.S. to Obama Responses: 115 Settler teens rampage through Palestinian neighborhood in Hebron Responses: 126 Aluf Benn: Obama's challenge will be to persuade Netanyahu to advance peace Responses: 57 Judea Pearl: Israel and Palestinians should apologize to each other Responses: 52 More Headlines 01:11 At least 80 people dead, hostages taken in multiple Mumbai attacks 23:55 AG seeks to indict Olmert over double-billing affair 22:07 Pines-Paz: It's a tragic day for Israel when a PM is indicted 23:44 Barak: We will evacuate settlers from Hebron house, by force if necessary 18:30 Lebanon asks Iran to supply its army with midsize weapons 23:40 UN watchdog clears Syria bid for atomic aid, despite world doubts 01:30 Who stole Hitler's golden bookmark? 17:27 Holocaust survivor to meet her Polish savior after 60 years 19:25 Haredi parties absent from Jerusalem coalition for first time in decades 18:29 Amid nuclear tensions, Iran says it successfully launched rocket 21:46 Borat's brother - a.k.a. Erran Baron Cohen - releases Hanukkah CD 18:28 Livni urges Thailand to commute Israeli drug smugglers' death sentence 18:28 Hamas, Fatah women brawl in Gaza as factional tempers flare 18:19 Short on fuel, Gazans use car batteries to restart power plant 13:31 Ban: Israel, Lebanon must 'seize the moment' and make peace 18:22 Settler rabbi: Peace Now chief should be jailed for treason Previous Editions Select Day 26 nov 25 nov 24 nov 23 nov 21 nov 20 nov 19 nov 18 nov 17 nov 16 nov 14 nov 13 nov

Special Offers Advertisement Living in Israel Studying in English Click & Meet our students from all around the world Living in Israel Studying in English Click & Meet our students from all around the world Dan Boutique Jerusalem New Dan Hotel in Jerusalem Young, Fun & Distinctively Dan Book Now Online! Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. Car rental in Israel Shlomo Sixt Receive $15.00 from our low rates. Dial 013 for your long-distance calls and get all your money back US CITIZENS Vote for real change. Request your ballot today! Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com Israel's Premier Real Estate Website www. israel-property.com Hebrew Summer courses From $39.95 Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel

birthright Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved