It has to be noted that the close observation and critical rreporting makes the mission of a political leader impossible.Media center on each element, a political mess, a demonstration, a hunger strike, withought taking into accout the whole picture of ruling. Sharon overcame all those and became Prime Minister, Bush was at the height of popularity, then sunk in liu of Iraq; Sane with Tony Blair.Because of wrong media handling a Spanish Prime minister lost his election when 200 people were killed by Muslims. So Olmert knows that he has to endure and find his outlet through preparation and also by being glexible.With thios regard the article is right.

What testes? He's got none.

He must go now. There were no tests. He still supported by the people he gave jobs. So what. Next time 1000 people will die and he will still be supported by Peace Now because he is the best they have.

of grace?

No one should take Blair's testimony seriously. Blair and other Quartet members prefer to deal with a greatly weakened Israeli leadership, since its internal political weakness makes it much more susceptible to pressure and to extraction of concessions, e.g. modifying the Roadmap to accomodate Hamas. Desperate to survive a few more months in office, Olmert's govt. will give away the store. It's the same pattern of agony we saw from Ehud Barak's govt. in late 2000 - early 2001, just before it was ousted. Why repeat it? Olmert's govt. should go NOW!

HE IS THE LEADER WITHOUT EXPERIENCE, AND EVIDENTLY POOR JUDGEMENT . OLMERT CHOSE AN INEXPERIENCED DEFENCE MINISTER... PERETZ MUST TAKE THE SAME TRAIN OUT OLMERT RELIED ON ALL POOR OPERATERS OF ISRAEL. HE NEVER RE ASSESED THE WAR DAILY TO MAKE CHANGES FAST ENOUGH. AFTER THE WAR CRITIQUE , THATS OUR JOB TO LIVE BY THE RESULTS. HIS JOB WAS TO MAKE RESULTS.. COULD I HAVE DONE BETTER? EXPERIENCED LEADERS COULD'VE. WHO? ANYONE AT THIS POINT. BIBI ? NO SHOWED HE CANT WHO ? PRAY FOR ONE ...... THE WAR WAS OLMERTS/ PERETZ RESPONSIBLITY , THE BUCK STOPS ON THEIR DESK. THATS THE BOTTOM LINE

"Despite the unprecedented storm Olmert finds himself facing, and despite the scathing criticism, at least one important achievement can be attributed to the PM: He didn't break." That's the same standard for calling Hizbollah the victor. A leader LEADS his people forward and is not someone who just doesn't "break". And break he will, eventually. Llook how long it took for Nixon to finally break. Look how long it took for Clinton to break and tell the truth. This is just a sign of megelomania, not something honorable.

Things don't look good for Israel in the short term: Bush and Blair lame-ducks; Helen Clark may be the new UN secretary; Russia unwilling to put pressure on Iran; France eager to accept the new Palestinian government before any concessions are made by Hamas. This may be very encouraging to Israel's enemies. Meanwhile, however, now that the war is over, Olmert's government isn't doing badly in consolidating security on the borders and even gaining ground in getting USA approval- surely Israelis should stop finger pointing and get behind their government . A divisive country looks weak and can only encourage the scumbags in Hamas and Hisbollah to think they can keep on going with their murderous agenda. Let Olmert do his job- at the very least he'll never compromise the security of Israel- before Israel has to cope with new UN, UK and USA leaders who may well be less supportive or sympathetic. Having said that, never forget, Israel, you have millions of friends and supporters in the diaspora- we will always be there for you no matter who our countries' leaders are. I believe our role in the diaspora is to increase international support for you by making a massive effort to counter the "global tsunami" of anti-Israel propoganda in the media and internet.

Israelis , wake up. By the time you realize that Olmart & his gang are no good for Israel . He & his clan will already have sold 6 million pieces of Israel to the Arabs.