It's Bibipalooza! Live, from Congress! One show only!

[Razgovory]

You know, this is kind of like the North Korean nuclear deal that Clinton set up.  Congress wisely refused to fund it and waited till a tough guy conservative could deal with North Korea and prevent them from ever getting nukes.

[Admiral Yi]

It doesn't seem to have convinced anyone else.

Do you find that conclusive?

[Jacob]

It doesn't seem to have convinced anyone else.

Do you find that conclusive?

I do not find your argument conclusive, no.

[Sheilbh]

Doesn't look good for Bibi. After his last minute pitch ('there will be no Palestinian state' disowning his professed policy since 2009), he's now warning that the Israeli right is in extreme danger. Arabs are voting in 'droves' and they're being bused in by the left.

[Valmy]

Doesn't look good for Bibi. After his last minute pitch ('there will be no Palestinian state' disowning his professed policy since 2009), he's now warning that the Israeli right is in extreme danger. Arabs are voting in 'droves' and they're being bused in by the left.

God I hate Bibi. Please Arab smuggling baby Yeshua not-Christ let the Israeli right lose just one more time before the religious nutcases rule Israel forever.

[Sheilbh]

Good piece on the various computations:
http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/markaz/posts/2015/03/16-israeli-elections-decision-time-kahlon-kingmaker

[KRonn]

A non-profit Dem group is being investigated by a bi-partisan group in Congress. Apparently they  were given tax money by the State dept and and they another group have been in Israel doing work for Bibi's opponent. (Is it normal for a US political group to be working for political parties in another country?) I think the main questions here are if tax dollars are being used and also the non-profit status possibly being violated.

[Valmy]

(Is it normal for a US political group to be working for political parties in another country?)

Of course not but this is US-Israel relations.

[Sheilbh]

I'm not sure about those allegations K, but Bibi has been bitching about Us donors. Which does leave you wondering: Sheldon Adelson?

Bibi definitely looks panicked. He's just been barred from giving a press conference as PM while the polls are still open.

[derspiess]

So it sounds like Bibi fumbled the ball in his own territory with a minute left in the 4th quarter.

[KRonn]

Looks like both parties have people who've gotten involved in the Israeli elections.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/02/12/israel-election-us-consultants-donors/23237871/

[Sheilbh]

Israeli elections are unpredictable. And he may lose the election but still win the coalition negotiations.

But he is following the usual pattern for the downfall of a Middle Eastern leader. Right now he's blaming foreign governments and provocateurs....

[Sheilbh]

First exit polls out. Looks like it's 50-50. Far easier for Bibi to form a coalition. Perhaps more difficult to walk back the last couple of days.

[Sheilbh]

Apparently NOC for either likely coalition according to exit polls, so President wanting negotiations of national unity government. Maybe rotating premiership?

[Valmy]

Well that's a bummer. Ah well I know never to expect good news from that part of the world.