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Netanyahu / The biggest loser By Aluf Benn Tags: Israel News, Israel elections  Benjamin Netanyahu is this election's big loser, even if he manages to restore his position and become prime minister. At the start of the election campaign four months ago, his victory appeared certain. All the polls and the analysts predicted that Bibi would make a big comeback, and that Likud would crush Kadima and re-establish itself as the big, powerful ruling party. Netanyahu's behavior only bolstered this image: He adorned the party's Knesset list with stars, some new and some not, he showed discipline during the campaign and he made nearly no mistakes. The elections looked like they were in his bag. Advertisement The moment the polls showed him at the top, Netanyahu tried to preserve his lead with proper, stately behavior while ignoring his rivals. But it did not work. Bibi is at his best when he is fighting - against the Oslo accords, against the elites, against the big unions, against Ariel Sharon. But this is not what brought Bibi down. It was the war in the Gaza Strip. The Kadima government gambled that going to war would improve its standing with voters, and the move worked. The war was perceived as a victory over Hamas, and as a salve to heal the trauma of the Second Lebanon War. The national agenda shifted overnight, from corruption and recession to security and statesmanship, and Netanyahu was not ready. Avigdor Lieberman stole Netanyahu's security agenda in his campaign against Israeli Arabs, and Livni managed to convince the public that she will handle Barack Obama better than Netanyahu. Livni forced Netanyahu to treat her as an equal, despite his negative ads claiming the job is "too big for her." From that point, he lost the advantage of experience. Livni proved to be an expert campaigner who saved enough energy for the final and decisive round. Bookmark to del.icio.us   How Israel voted See Israel election results by city/sector. Israeli cover girls Israeli model Bar Refaeli lands Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover.   1.   "Who saved enough energy for the final round" - means what?? 14:56  |  AV 11/02/09   2.   The Kadima government gambled 18:07  |  Joe 11/02/09

Read & React With 99 percent of votes counted, Kadima leads Likud 28 to 27 seats Responses: 124 Success of rightist bloc may propel Netanyahu into PM's chair Responses: 111 Aluf Benn: For the sake of peace, Labor and Kadima must merge Responses: 92 Bradley Burston: Will Livni, Netanyahu settle for rotation, sharing premiership? Responses: 45 Poll: 31% of Europeans blame Jews for global financial crisis Responses: 59 More Headlines 00:19 White House: Unclear how Israel elections will affect Mideast peace 00:47 OPINION / In the election, the left got what it deserved 21:07 HOW THEY VOTED: See Israel election results by city/sector 00:08 Wooed by Kadima and Likud, Lieberman agrees to more talks with Livni 00:09 Netanyahu meets Lieberman in bid to feel out coalition deal 00:53 Pro-Palestinian Bronx Expressway banner - a Jewish initiative 20:08 Europeans fearful over rise of right wing in Israeli elections 16:39 ISRAEL ELECTION IN PICTURES / After the vote 00:20 Sarkozy: I want Obama to engage in Iran talks with `spirit of firmness` 18:17 Iran charges 7 members of Baha'i faith with spying for Israel 19:59 Hamas: Zionist voters have elected a 'troika of terrorism' 14:25 Likud officials reject rotating coalition power with Kadima 13:58 ANALYSIS / Israel's new PM must stop the economic crisis before it burgeons 19:32 Gaza mortar shells strike western Negev; no casualties 21:15 Akiva Eldar / Why did Meretz fare so poorly in the elections? 01:48 Woman bleeds to death in Haifa hospital, a day after giving birth Previous Editions Select Day 11 feb 10 feb 09 feb 08 feb 06 feb 05 feb 04 feb 03 feb 02 feb 01 feb 30 jan 29 jan

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