I don't think there's much that the Israeli election can indicate about the American election. Turnouts were the lowest they've been in recent elections, & Kadima drew almost all its seats from former Likud holdings. But Kadima is not a majority and will need to form a coalition with other partners to run the government - the current tally has Kadima winning 28 of 120 seats, or 23% of the vote. It's a plurality, but not the American-style plurality of 40-some % we saw when Ross Perot took some of the vote in 90's.
The unilateral pullout plan is a novelty and gets talked up in the news because it's an easy soundbite and it does specifically set the party apart from other parties. But 70-some % of the Israeli electorate didn't vote for it either.
Posted by idiosynchronic at March 29, 2006 06:36 AMAnother Rummy classic:
“In a situation like exists in Iraq today, one measure of what is happening is to note things that are not happening,” Rumsfeld said. “Admittedly, that's a difficult thing to do. It's far easier to report about a bomb that goes off than to note a bomb that doesn't.”
Posted by shaggydabbydo at March 29, 2006 07:21 AM
Wow! That is a gem from Rummy.
Also;
Via Atrios.
On behalf of all New Yorkers I'd like to apologize to all the real journalists putting themselves in harms ways.
Posted by snark at March 29, 2006 08:38 AMMore than two political parties? What a radical concept.
Posted by coal_train at March 29, 2006 10:33 AMApparently, I'm a snob (and a Communist) for suggesting that Republicans need to get out more
Posted by Joseph at March 29, 2006 10:35 AMIn the spirit of the Rumsfeld statement, I would like to thank 95% of my neighbors in the little town of Guadalupe, who do NOT fire fully automatic assault weapons and guns in the air, or blow up M-80's and pipe bombs on EVERY STINKING HOLIDAY.
Keep up the good work, I am SO proud of you.
George Bush and the GOP steal one from Saddam Hussein's playbook.
Use sectarian differences to foment sectarian division as a means to perpetuate themselves in power!
Does this guy have any self-awareness at all?
Sorry didn't have time to post with ya fine folks today. The Nasdaq busted out to new bull market highs. Booyah!
Posted by muckdog at March 29, 2006 04:57 PMmuckdog...the other "bubble boy"!
Posted by bbtb at March 29, 2006 06:07 PM