Clipmarks | blueridge's 'neoconservatives' clips

Dangers of "Group Think" Evident in March to War

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 06:33:36 GMT

clipped by: blueridge
clipper's remarks: These are characteristics of most all groups, especially highly charged political parties which are easily recognized here. Note the silence of individuals plays a key role in conformity. Speak up!

Collective Rationalization reminds me of the "group think" that led America to war against Iraq (per the neoconservatives preconceived plans), even though it did not harbor terrorists or attack the U.S., just because Bush and Cheney, after 9/11, said so.

This same "group think" is within the entire story of 9/11 and the Collective Rationalization for a continued "war on terrorism" to invade other countries at will. GROUP THINK MUST BE CHALLENGED TO PREVENT UNJUST WARS.

Number 8 (did not have room to clip) is here:

Mindguards: Some members appoint themselves to the role of protecting the group from adverse information that might threaten group complacency.

Clip Source: www.cedu.niu.edu

Group Think

Janis, I. L. & Mann, L. (1977). Decision making: A psychological analysis of conflict, choice, and commitment. New York: Free Press.

Eight Main Symptoms of Group Think

Illusion of Invulnerability: Members ignore obvious danger, take extreme risk, and are overly optimistic.

Collective Rationalization: Members discredit and explain away warning contrary to group thinking.

Illusion of Morality: Members believe their decisions are morally correct, ignoring the ethical consequences of their decisions.

Excessive Stereotyping:The group constructs negative sterotypes of rivals outside the group.

Pressure for Conformity: Members pressure any in the group who express arguments against the group's stereotypes, illusions, or commitments, viewing such opposition as disloyalty.

Self-Censorship: Members withhold their dissenting views and counter-arguments.

Illusion of Unanimity: Members perceive falsely that everyone agrees with the group's decision; silence is seen as consent.

Tags: war, political parties, group think, psychology

Palin: "Only Flag in My Office" is Israeli

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:45:35 GMT

clipped by: blueridge
clipper's remarks: So which "country first"? This is why she is McCain's running mate, as she bows to the neocon-Israeli agenda.

Seriously, for those who defend her no matter what she does or says, blindly, what do you think of this statement which smacks of blatant flattery? You must conclude that she either (1) was mistaken in what she said (i.e. "she did not really mean that"), so she is unable to speak intelligently, or (2) she does mean it and therefore puts American and Alaska interests under that of the state called Israel and its militant Zionist agenda.

Clearly she was trying to flatter and impress Peres, which is of course a form of lying for personal benefit, and not very Christian. Truly Palin is "AIPAC approved" and is a sycophant of the neocon agenda that McCain (and Lieberman) push. TRUSTWORTHINESS is something that has been lacking in Washington, and it appears that Palin is no "reformer" in that regard.

(Again, not claiming that Obama is worthy either. He is not).

Clip Source: www.nysun.com

Palin: 'Only Flag in My Office' Is Israeli

PALIN: 'ONLY FLAG IN MY OFFICE' IS ISRAELI

President Peres of Israel yesterday met for the first time with Governor Palin and with Senator McCain, who called the veteran Israeli statesman "my old friend." The warm handshake and exchange of broad smiles occurred during an international gathering known as the Clinton Global Initiative, hosted by President Clinton. "I wanted to meet you for many years," Ms. Palin told Mr. Peres, according to an aide to the president. "The only flag at my office is an Israeli flag," she was quoted as saying, "and I want you to know and I want Israelis to know that I am a friend."

Tags: sarah palin, israel, mccain, neoconservatives, zionism

McCain's Foreign Policy: Global Democratic Gang

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 00:45:10 GMT

clipped by: blueridge
clipper's remarks: McCain calls for a "League of Democracies" for the purposes of "peace" but actually for war. Its key principle is "entangling alliances" which George Washington warned against, starting with NATO as its foundation.

This is actually an old plan and precisely what the UN is all about except it cuts China and Russia out.

This is consistent with George Bush (Bush 41) "new world order" speech where he talked about a United Nations that lives up to the intention of its founders, as he launched Iraq War I. GWB 43 has also made reference to similar principles while already by-passing the UN when it is reluctant to launch a war.

Actually it makes little difference, except to show that Russia and China will be cut out of decisions because they will be the new targets of contest under his neocon vision.

The call to "make the world safe for democracy" (like Wilson and FDR) has been the foundation of world wars, and likely more.

Clip Source: www.cfr.org

Senator McCain Addresses The Hoover Institution

The NATO alliance has begun to deal with this gap by promoting global partnerships between current members of the alliance and the other great democracies in Asia and elsewhere. We should go further and start bringing democratic peoples and nations from around the world into one common organization, a worldwide League of Democracies.

It could bring concerted pressure to bear on tyrants

with or without Moscow's and Beijing's approval. It could unite to impose sanctions on Iran and thwart its nuclear ambitions.

If I am elected president, I will call a summit of the world's democracies in my first year to seek the views of my democratic counterparts and begin exploring the practical steps necessary to realize this vision.

The 21st century world no longer divides neatly into geographic regions. Organizations and partnerships must be as international as the challenges we confront.

we are safer when the world is more democratic

Tags: mccain's foreign policy, wars for democracy, democracy, un, neoconservatives

Republican Congressman: Russia was Right!

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 09:08:26 GMT

clipped by: blueridge
clipper's remarks: But you won't hear this from McCain or Palin, nor Obama or other democrats, who all parrot the LIE of the neocon's official story.

A bold republican Congressman is quoted, virtually paraphrasing the piece written by Pat Buchanan earlier (which I clipmarked, "Georgia Started It, Russia Finished It"). The tide against the propaganda is turning. Buchanan, Savage, now this Congressman and many more.

Now this is from a Russian news agency, so to be objective I see no citation of the title that "US Intelligence" (not just the Congressman quoted) takes this view. But then the MSM does not report intelligence usually. They usually parrot the neocon propaganda.

Note the unreported toll on civilians in just a few days in S. Ossetia, from Georgia's assault!

More than 1500 civilians were killed in that time, according to South Ossetian authorities.

Clip Source: www.kommersant.com

U.S. Intelligence Sees It Russia’s Way

American intelligence confirms that the latest military actions in South Ossetia were started by Georgia and Russia’s position in the conflict was correct, says Republican California Congressman Dana Rohrabacher. He said the situation reminded him of the Bay of Tonkin incident, which the U.S. used as a pretext for beginning the war in Vietnam.

"The Russians are right! We're wrong! Georgia started it, the Russians ended it," Rohrabacher said at a hearing in the House of Representatives.

Russia acknowledged the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia on August 26. Those republics requested that recognition after Georgian forces almost completely ruined Tskhinvali, the capital of South Ossetia, in the course of the event of August 8-12. More than 1500 civilians were killed in that time, according to South Ossetian authorities.

Tags: russia, georgia, south ossetia, propaganda, neoconservatives

Putin on Bush: Bush "Not in Charge" of US Affairs

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:08:57 GMT

clipped by: blueridge
clipper's remarks: This is real interesting. Three things at least can be learned:

1. Putin is on to the neoconservatives, who have Bush's ear, and control him to a great degree. Putin is right: Bush is a Puppet President

2. Putin knows Cheney's influence over Bush, who is driving the Georgia-Russia and NATO-Russia neocon led conflict. Bush is stupid and easily manipulated to a large degree.

3. Putin is naive and stupid to separate Bush the man from Bush policies. He speaks against Russia now, therefore against Putin. Reason? Bush has the ability to make light and "charm" (for lack of better word) others into frivolity and laughter, but which is a decoy from his serious crimes and corrupt actions.

I wrote earlier in regard to Russia, Bush treated Putin well at his ranch in Texas after 9/11 (which was an excuse for Putin to trample Chechnyans by branding them "terrorists"), but now he will stab him in the back (missile treaties around Russia for NATO).

Clip Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

George Bush isn't in charge, says Vladimir Putin

In a thinly veiled dig at George Bush, Vladimir Putin today suggested that the US President was not in charge of American affairs, saying that it was “the court that makes the king”.

He nonetheless spoke fondly of his relationship with Mr Bush, saying, only half-jokingly: ”I treat President Bush better than some Americans would”.

At times Mr Putin displayed genuine anger, particularly when discussing the deployment of US navy warships just off the Russian Black Sea coast. Much of his criticism was aimed directly at the Bush administration which he accused of training and army the Georgian military and encouraging its leadership to launch last month’s assault on the breakaway province of South Ossetia.

"Should we have wiped the bloody snot off our face and bowed our head? Should we have waved our penknives?” he said in response to the mobilisation of Georgian tanks and troops.

Tags: putin, bush, russia, neoconservatives, cheney

Israel Wants to Attack Iran, US Military Aid Denied

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:05:08 GMT

clipped by: blueridge
clipper's remarks: Israel is impotent without the U.S.. They have always used America in their own war agendas. Note the strategic importance in the big picture of Iraqi air space which this Israeli news article mentions! This is just one reason why Israel and the neocon agenda demanded regime change in Iraq, which clears the way for further wars of aggression in the region by Israel, under a pretense of a "war on terrorism" (which both Obama and McCain will continue).

Note too that while the US has been somewhat restraining Israel, this is mentioned too:

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, in private discussions, even raised the possibility that the U.S. was considering an attack in the transition period between the election in November and the inauguration of the new president in January 2009.

Clip Source: haaretz.com

Israel asks U.S. for arms, air corridor to attack Iran

The security aid package the United States has refused to give Israel for the past few months out of concern that Israel would use it to attack nuclear facilities in Iran included a large number of "bunker-buster" bombs, permission to use an air corridor to Iran, an advanced technological system and refueling planes.

Haaretz reported that the Bush administration had turned down an Israeli request for certain security items that could upgrade Israel's capability to attack Iran.

An attack on Iran would apparently require passage through Iraqi air space. For this to occur, an air corridor would be needed that Israeli fighter jets could cross without being targeted by American planes or anti-aircraft missiles. The Americans also turned down this request. According to one account, to avoid the issue, the Americans told the Israelis to ask Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki for permission

Tags: israel, iran, us military aid to israel, neoconservatives, bush, war

US Trained Georgia Commandos that Attacked S. Ossetia

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 09:51:43 GMT

clipped by: blueridge
clipper's remarks: "the assault on South Ossetia" by Georgia, this Financial Times article states. The media is beginning to come closer to the truth.

But then there is the curious disclaimer that "there is no evidence the contractors...or Pentagon knew" they would be used in an attack on S. Ossetia. What! Then what were they training them for? There is no evidence the Financial Times looked for any evidence either. Please try and convince us that no one in the Pentagon (filled with neocons like Feith, and neocon contractors like James Woolsey of Booz Allen Hamilton with access to the Pentagon) knew that Georgia would attack--when the U.S. is its full ally!

Meanwhile Putin: The US orchestrated the war on South Ossetia.

Clip Source: www.ft.com

US military trained Georgian commandos

The US military provided combat training to 80 Georgian special forces commandos only months prior to Georgia’s army assault in South Ossetia in August.

The revelation, based on recruitment documents and interviews with US military trainers obtained by the Financial Times, could add fuel to accusations by Vladimir Putin, Russian prime minister, last month that the US had “orchestrated” the war in the Georgian enclave.

The training was provided by senior US soldiers and two military contractors. There is no evidence that the contractors or the Pentagon, which hired them, knew that the commandos they were training were likely be used in the assault on South Ossetia.

Mr Putin said on CNN on August 29: “It is not just that the American side could not restrain the Georgian leadership from this criminal act [of intervening in South Ossetia]. The American side in effect armed and trained the Georgian army.”

Tags: russia, georgia, south ossetia, neoconservatives, pentagon

Bush Wants $1 Billion to Georgia for Attacking South Ossetia

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 19:43:42 GMT

clipped by: blueridge
clipper's remarks: The NYT finally admits that Georgia was the aggressor:

"fighting that began on the night of Aug. 7 when Georgia tried to establish control [Ed. via military invasion] over a breakaway [i.e. independent for over a decade] region, South Ossetia, only to be driven back by Russian forces".

And to put that $1 billion figure in perspective the articles says:

The aid would dwarf the $63 million the United States provided to Georgia last year, roughly a third of it for training its soldiers, police officers and border guards. Excluding Iraq, the infusion would make Georgia one of the largest recipients of American foreign aid after Israel and Egypt.

That Dick Cheney was "sent" by Bush is indicative of the neocon agenda. Georgia did not attack without US or Israeli knowledge, but with their full support.

So in essence, the US is to pay $1billion to Georgia for a defeated military invasion and attempt to capture South Ossetia--i.e. for a proxy war.

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

White House Unveils $1 Billion Georgia Aid Plan

BAKU, Azerbaijan — President Bush proposed $1 billion in humanitarian and economic assistance on Wednesday to help rebuild Georgia after its short, disastrous war with Russia last month

President Dmitri A. Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin have already complained that humanitarian supplies delivered by the American Navy and Air Force were a disguise for delivering new weapons

The initial money, Mr. Bush said in a statement, would be used to feed and shelter tens of thousands of Georgians displaced during the fighting that began on the night of Aug. 7 when Georgia tried to establish control over a breakaway region, South Ossetia, only to be driven back by Russian forces.

Ms. Rice said in Washington.

She also took the occasion to deride the Russian recognition of South Ossetia and the other breakaway Georgia region, Abkhazia,

Tags: georgia, south ossetia, nato, neoconservatives, bush, cheney

Palin Pledges Allegiance to AIPAC--Stamped "Approved"

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:00:28 GMT

clipped by: blueridge
clipper's remarks: From "Alaska First", and by-passing "America First", Palin goes straight to "Israel First". By consequence and definition then she can no longer be considered a "reformer". Like McCain, Obama, Pelosi, Hillary, and every other former 2008 candidate, the ultimate test of worthiness is not the American people but to the overbearing Lobby of a foreign government that sets the course of foreign policy in alliance with the neoconservatives--ensuring a continuance of the phony "war on terrorism"--to "make the world safe for Democracy" through wars for "regime change".

How quickly Washington transforms everyone, even from the remotest states, by coercing conformity to global democratic agenda and blind allegiance to Israel through the muscle of The Lobby. This trumps all other considerations, is the hallmark of foreign policy (and why wars never cease), which also in turn has consequences on the economy (high gas prices, national debt, value of money) and domestic policy as well.

Clip Source: firstread.msnbc.msn.com

From NBC/NJ's Matthew E. Berger
MINNEAPOLIS -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin today met with the board of directors of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, NBC/NJ has confirmed.

The meeting took place inside Palin's hotel, sources said.

A campaign official would not say who asked for the meeting, but said it was geared towards putting the American Jewish community at ease over her understanding of US-Middle East relations.

Palin, joined by Sen. Joe Lieberman, expressed her "heartfelt support for Israel" and spoke of the threats it faces from Iran and others, the campaign official said.

"We had a good productive discussion on the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship, and we were pleased that Gov. Palin expressed her deep, personal, and lifelong commitment to the safety and well-being of Israel," AIPAC spokesman Josh Block said.

would work to expand and deepen the strategic partnership

Tags: sarah palin, mccain, obama, 2008 candidates, israel, aipac, neoconservatives, war, middle east

Israel Behind Georgia's Invasion of S. Ossettia

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:19:40 GMT

clipped by: blueridge
clipper's remarks: This in Israeli press, but not in the U.S. MSM. Of course it was a Hezbollah leader who has exposed this truth and of course will be denounced. But the facts remain true and easily verified. Israel (and the neocons, Cheney had a man in Georgia prior to the war) were behind Georgia's invasion (and murder of civilians) of South Ossetia who declared independence from Georgia over a decade ago.

What the Hezbollah leader says (mocking Israel) is true, they stopped Israel's (unjust) war against Lebanon (bombing 70 percent of the country's infrastructure in a "disproportionate response") which was part of a neocon-Israeli plan for a "new middle east". Russia stopped the neocon-Israeli plans for the recapture of Ossetia.

Clip Source: www.haaretz.com

Nasrallah: 'Failed' IDF generals caused Georgia defeat in war

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Thursday asserted that "failed" Israeli generals had caused Georgia's defeat in its current war with Russia.

"Israel exported failed generals in order to train the Georgian armed forces, including general Gal Hirsch, and we all know that the Georgian army was defeated by the Russian forces," Nasrallah said in a speech to mark two years since the end of the Second Lebanon War.

Brig. Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch was the commander of the Israel Defense Forces' Galilee Brigade when reservists Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev were abducted by Hezbollah on the northern border, sparking the Second Lebanon War. He operates a privately-owned Israeli military contractors that recently trained Georgian security forces .

Related articles:

Nasrallah: Lebanon war crushed U.S. vision for 'new Middle East'

Tags: georgia, russia, israel, south ossetia, war, neoconservatives

How to Start War with Russia--101 (Lesson from the Neoconservatives)

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:34:10 GMT

clipped by: blueridge
clipper's remarks: Bush Implements Neocon Lesson: Have Condi go to all the satellite states and sign missile placement deals about 100 miles from Russia, then sit back and watch Russia "invade or attack its neighbor" to disarm the threat. Meanwhile, this is precisely what the US was provoked by from Russia in the Cuban Missile Crisis!

Purpose? This is part of the neoconservative plan for "global hegemony" which Bush is now implementing just prior to leaving office, ensuring sparked conflict into the next presidency (which would also help McCain, although Obama is a CFR shill too), setting a continuation of the neocon agenda for another four to eight years.

Early in his pResidency Bush met with Putin in blue jeans at his Texas ranch. Now he will stab him in the back as he leaves office.

This is normal if one reviews US foreign policy since the 20th century and sets the stage for WWIII based upon dangerous absolute Alliances, as Condi refers to with Poland "as much as if it was a US territory"

Clip Source: www.breitbart.com

Russia warns of response to US missile shield

MOSCOW (AP) - Russia says its response to the further development of a U.S. missile shield in Poland will go beyond diplomacy.

The United States and Poland signed a deal Wednesday to place a U.S. missile defense base just 115 miles from Russia's westernmost fringe.

WARSAW, Poland (AP)—Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her Polish counterpart signed a deal Wednesday to build a U.S. missile defense base in Poland, an agreement that prompted an infuriated Russia to warn of a possible attack against the former Soviet satellite.

Rice dismissed blustery comments from Russian leaders who say Warsaw's hosting of 10 U.S. interceptor missiles just 115 miles from Russia's westernmost frontier opens the country up to attack.

Rice said. "It's 2008 and the United States has a ... firm treaty guarantee to defend Poland's territory as if it was the territory of the United States. So it's probably not wise to throw these threats around."

Tags: bush, condi rice, neoconservatives, russia, nato, cold war, wwiii

Ron Suskind vs. Bush Admin on Iraq-9/11 Fakery

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:06:13 GMT

clipped by: blueridge
clipper's remarks: Suskind's book has provided documentation of evidence and inside witnesses within the CIA and British Intelligence sources that a fake letter was ordered "from the White House" pretending to be from Saddam's Intelligence Chief to Saddam (whom the U.S. relocated and paid $5 million to) which was laden with lies and a claim of ties between Mohammad Atta (supposed 9/11 ringleader), Al Qaeda, and Iraq--back-dated prior to 9/11--which provided deliberately false claims to connect Iraq to 9/11. The White House has denied (see previous clipmark) but award-winning journalist Suskind summarizes his sources and defends his allegations on Democracy Now (see first podcast "listen" link).

The second podcast, Aug. 14, includes House Judiciary Chair John Conyers who has already started an investigation under way which will lead to some kind of action. Conyer's stated the the Senate Intelligence Committee, headed by Jay Rockefeller, has the power to review classified documents to verify this.

Clip Source: www.democracynow.org

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Watch Listen

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Watch Listen

Tags: bush, 9/11, cia, iraq, al qaeda, mohammad atta, cheney, neoconservatives, war

Pat Buchanan:'Georgia Started This Fight, Russia Finished It'

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 05:29:06 GMT

clipped by: blueridge
clipper's remarks: Pat Buchanan has it right! Conservatives and republicans in particular should note what he says, instead of Bush.

Georgia started this fight -- Russia finished it.

Contrary to Bush, McCain, and yes Obama and the parroting MSM, Georgia was the aggressor.

Georgia attacked and invaded first, and Russia responded to roll their aggression back. Read the article, he also shows the hypocrisy of Bush's condemnation and propaganda, as even the Democrats follow his false official story again. He also mentions the neocons are behind this agenda against Russia. (Buchanan vindicates my clipmarks on this subject precisely as I commented). Time to wake everyone up to this before the anti-Russia campaign foments more wars.

Clip Source: www.humanevents.com

Mikheil Saakashvili's decision to use the opening of the Olympic Games to cover Georgia's invasion of its breakaway province of South Ossetia must rank in stupidity with Gamal Abdel-Nasser's decision to close the Straits of Tiran to Israeli ships.

After shelling and attacking what he claims is his own country, killing scores of his own Ossetian citizens and sending tens of thousands fleeing into Russia, Saakashvili's army was whipped back into Georgia in 48 hours.

Reveling in his status as an intimate of George Bush, Dick Cheney and John McCain, and America's lone democratic ally in the Caucasus, Saakashvili thought he could get away with a lightning coup and present the world with a fait accompli.

American charges of Russian aggression ring hollow. Georgia started this fight -- Russia finished it. People who start wars don't get to decide how and when they end.

Are secessions and the dissolution of nations laudable only when they advance the agenda of the neocons

viscerally detest Russia?

Tags: russia, georgia, south ossettia, neoconservatives, bush, putin, mccain, obama

McCain-Lieberman Ticket?

Sat, 09 Aug 2008 12:11:45 GMT

clipped by: blueridge
clipper's remarks: No surprise. Israel wins, especially if something happened to the "gray hair dude" (P. Hilton). Neocon "birds of a feather...". There really is no true republican candidate. This might just send a whole lot of conservatives to third party candidates and ensure Obama a win--unless there is an October Surprise (false flag attack), which would help the military veteran.

Clip Source: www.ft.com

Lieberman ‘on McCain short-list’

Joe Lieberman, the former Democratic vice-presidential nominee who has endorsed John McCain, is being vetted as a potential running mate for the Republican presidential hopeful, according to an adviser to Mr McCain’s campaign.

Mr Lieberman, who has campaigned for the Arizona senator, has long been considered an unconventional but plausible choice for Mr McCain.

Although Democrats have rejected Mr McCain’s image as a maverick politician, Mr Lieberman’s support for the presumptive Republican nominee has, much to the chagrin of his former colleagues, helped to boost Mr McCain’s reputation as a bi-partisan legislator with friends on both sides of the aisle. Mr Lieberman, a staunch supporter of Israel, could also help Mr McCain win over Jewish voters.

“Conservatives would be pissed as hell – I think you would have a revolt, but sometimes John does what John wants to do,” the McCain adviser said.

Tags: mccain, lieberman, 2008 candidates, israel, neoconservatives

Netanyahu Rushes for Power in Israel, Before Bush's Term is Up

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 22:57:10 GMT

clipped by: blueridge
clipper's remarks: "Hurry the elections", i.e. he wants into power NOW. The Likud Party is linked directly to the neoconservatives in America. Netanyahu (who is close friends with Larry Silverstein, the WTC leaseholder) wants power before the change of President in the U.S. in order to start war with Iran, to continue the neocon agenda beyond the Bush administration's term.

MARK THIS: If he wins, they will attack Iran immediately, and he is pushing hard to get in before Jan. '09, to control US war policy.

Pat Buchanan documented the link earlier:

In 1996, neoconservatives currently serving in the Bush administration wrote a policy paper for Israeli right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In the policy paper Douglas Feith (currently Undersecretary of Defense), David Wurmser (VP Cheney’s staff) and Richard Perle (Defense Review Board) called for "removing Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq

Clip Source: ap.google.com

Netanyahu calls for early Israeli elections

JERUSALEM (AP) — A day after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced he would depart political life, top rival Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel should get rid of its current governing coalition and go straight to early elections.

Polls show the Likud Party's Netanyahu — a former prime minister who takes a hard line on territorial concessions to the Arabs — would most likely win such a race if it were held today. Olmert threw Israel's political system into turmoil on Wednesday by abruptly announcing he would step down after his Kadima Party's leadership race in September, called because of a series of corruption allegations against him.

"The right thing to do when the prime minister goes is ... to let the people choose who will lead them and whoever is chosen, he is the one who will need to put together a government," Netanyahu said.

The internal turmoil could make it difficult for Olmert to close deals with either the Palestinians or Syr

Tags: netanyahu, likud party, silverstein, neoconservatives, iran, war on terrorism