Tel-Chai Nation

An interesting poll was published this week by Smith Research and Consulting, and sponsored by the ZOA. From Israel National News:

A poll conducted this past week supports the assertion by politicians across the political spectrum that once the novelty of PM Sharon's Kadima Party wears off, voters will oppose its platform.

The poll, conducted by Smith Research and Consulting, found that of the 500 Israeli Jews polled, 67% are opposed to major withdrawals from Judea and Samaria in response to the Palestinian Authority's failure to combat terror groups. Among self-proclaimed Kadima supporters, 54% percent opposed further unilateral withdrawals.

Just 28% of the Jewish public and 37% of Kadima constituents said they support carrying out significant withdrawals if the Road Map is not advanced upon due to PA inaction.

A follow up question found that of those who oppose unilateral withdrawal under those circumstances, 75% responded that they would not vote for a party that would support such a move and 18% would. Among those intending to vote for Kadima who oppose unilateral withdrawal under those circumstances, 68% responded that they would not vote for a party that would support such a move while 20% would.

The poll was sponsored by the Zionist Organization of America and is significant in that is seems to bolster claims by political pundits that once the novelty of the big-name celebrities migrating to Sharon's party wears off, the public will not place the Kadima slips in the ballot boxes.

"It is funny to see that politicians are taking part in a game of 'A Star is Born' [popular Israeli talent show similar to American Idol –ed.] and it seems that it is not by chance that elections will be held after Purim," Shas Chairman Eli Yishai said Tuesday, in response to the announcement that Labor MK Dahlia Itzik was joining Kadima. "The present election campaign revolves around the height of ideological issues and I am certain the public is more impressed by the migration of birds than by the migration of politicians."

Yep, I agree. Birds migrating through the air is much more interesting than the startling display of opportunism displayed this week by a lot of the people who just went and joined Sharon's party.

Another interesting note about any of the would-be politicians who joined Kadima (whose name is strangely reminicient of the leftist website Moveon.Org) is that many of them are simply uninspiring, and also very mediocre. One more reason why even left-wing supporters in this country aren't impressed by them. And one more reason why the party just isn't likely to do as well as Sharon and company would like to think.

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