On Wednesday’s CBS Early Show, correspondent Richard Roth reported on the outcome of the Israeli election and a possible victory for the conservative parties led by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "So, former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims victory, too, with fewer votes, but it's believed more support from his traditional allies in right wing parties...there's a clear sign Israel shifted to the right. It may take weeks to create the next government here, but whoever leads it, is likely to have obligations to parties on the fringe of Israeli politics." Roth also pointed out that conservative victories may hinder Obama foreign policy: "And that could be a setback for the White House, eager to restart a peace process in the Middle East."
Back in 1996, when Netanyahu first served as Israel’s prime minister, CBS had similar concerns about his "right-wing" leanings. On the May 31 Evening News of that year, then anchor Dan Rather described Netanyahu’s election: "Right-wing hardliner Benjamin Netanyahu is declared Israel's new Prime Minister." During CBS’s This Morning that same day, then co-host Harry Smith asked: "Let's talk about his words for a second. Because it's not that many months ago that a lot of people were accusing Bibi Netanyahu of fanning the flames of the Israeli right, of setting the rhetorical tone for [Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak] Rabin's assassination."
Here is the full transcript of the report:
7:11AM SEGMENT:
RUSS MITCHELL: Israel's election is over, but who will actually run the Israeli government remains up in the air. CBS News correspondent Richard Roth is in Tel Aviv this morning. Richard, good morning to you.
RICHARD ROTH: Good morning, Russ. Well, Israelis this morning learned their election results amount to a split decision. Which has put the country in political limbo. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni celebrated her Kadima Party's slim victory at the polls, but that may be all her supporters have to cheer about. What she'd need to govern as Israel's first female prime minister in more than 30 years is a strong coalition of rivals to back her in parliament and she'll have trouble getting that. So, former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims victory, too, with fewer votes, but it's believed more support from his traditional allies in right wing parties. 'I will lead the next government' he insisted to supporters. The fact is, the bargaining that will determine who becomes Israel's next prime minister is just beginning. In the election aftermath, though, there's a clear sign Israel shifted to the right. It may take weeks to create the next government here, but whoever leads it, is likely to have obligations to parties on the fringe of Israeli politics. And that could be a setback for the White House, eager to restart a peace process in the Middle East. Livni or Netanyahu, whoever takes the reigns of government here, may find that restarting negotiations with the Palestinians and moving ahead may now become politically even tougher. Russ.
MITCHELL: Richard Roth in Tel Aviv, thank you very much.
—Kyle Drennen is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.




















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MSM alarmed
February 11, 2009 - 14:52 ET by Sergeant ROCKThey don't want a guy running Israel that will stand up to the Messiah and his appeasement ways...
"I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
George Mason
Bolton/KEYES 2012
So what happens....
February 11, 2009 - 15:35 ET by Prester John....when Netanyahu lets BHO know he's going to take out Iran's nuclear capability but needs some U.S. "assistance"?
And then what happens when Netanyahu tells BHO to stick it where the sun don't shine when BHO refuses to help and goes after Iran anyway?
How will the American Jewish community react if the word gets out the BHO refused Israel critical support?
How can Pat Buchanan possibly handle all the requests to appear on every cable talk show to blast the Israelis while being labled as "Republican strategist"?
Is BHO and his MIA Secretary of State even thinking about this stuff??
How dare those Jews...??!
February 11, 2009 - 15:00 ET by wizardjrImagine... not wanting to get shelled by contiuous rocket attacks, not wanting their schools and markets blown up by mad bombers, etc., etc. Who do these Israelis think they are? Why aren't they finding 'root causes'? Why aren't they just cutting their own throats and dying so the Arabs can come "home"? I guess it's just those pesky right wingers again. </sarc>
[Go get 'em Israel! take no prisoners (they'll want Miranda rights)]
...o.k. where's Cheney?
February 11, 2009 - 18:17 ET by vrwc13‘‘Right Wing Fringe’ in Israel...hmmm...is the infamous "weather machine" hidden in The valley of Megiddo?
proof: ‘Right Wing Fringe’ in Israel would be big, say vast?
so the vast right wing fringe? And if it's vast it wouldn't be fringe...
so the vast right wing? And if it's true it would be a plot or a conspiracy...
so it would be (gasp) the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy?
hillary get your SOS butt over there(oops, apparently George has it covered!) right away, your nemesis is on the move in (gasp again) Israel!!!
v
...hurry, the next you know Israel will be outlawing abortion...
I hope, for the sake of Israel, that Netanyahu does win
February 11, 2009 - 15:32 ET by R D Helm...as it appears Herr Obamafuhrer is about to throw Israel under the bus.
At least this will give them a fighting chance at survival.
-Dave
Our clueless political leaders are about to drive us all over a cliff. The time to HITM is now-before we go over.
The enemies of what is
February 11, 2009 - 15:38 ET by bigtimerThe enemies of what is right everywhere fear Netanyahu...including here within this country...always have.
I pray he wins.
Netanyahu is their only hope
February 11, 2009 - 15:47 ET by slickwillie2001I see the US military under Obammy within a couple of years coming to blows with Israel's IDF over either the 'palestinians' or attacking Iran. I expect the US would be dealt an embarrassing theater defeat by Israel, and at that point Obammy's far-left socialist politics will become evident to even our liberal media. Israel's only hope for survival is someone like Netanyahu. Under the Chamberlainian idiot Livni or Olmert, they face nothing but disaster and extermination.
Fringe = those that are
February 11, 2009 - 15:57 ET by SickofLibsFringe = those that are tired of getting bombs dropped in their neighborhoods.
I guess Roth wouldn't mind that at all.
Netanyahu
February 11, 2009 - 16:35 ET by NorthCoasterWho can say where Isreali public opinion lies? If enough voted for Netanyahu to allow him to form a coalition government, then he represents a mainstream of Isreali opinion.
It is reported that Livni earned slightly more popular votes but may not have enough support from minor parties to be able to form a government. Livni also represents a mainstream of opinion but has fewer supporters in the minor parties.
Neither candidate is a fringe candidate but the minor parties that support each of them could easily be called fringe parties.
Netanyahu (R)
February 11, 2009 - 16:38 ET by Sergeant ROCKMaybe the GOP could run him in 2012?
It's not you have to be a U.S. citizen or anything.
"I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
George Mason
Bolton/KEYES 2012
It's not you have to be a U.S. citizen or anything.
February 11, 2009 - 18:13 ET by vrwc13...word on the street is he can get his U.S. citizenship for a price in Hawaii!
v
There will be no peace in the Middle East or anywhere else
February 12, 2009 - 00:52 ET by Army BratFor as long as Islam exists. Submit, convert or die. These are you choices. Don't believe me? Read the Koran...simple as that.
I refuse to be PC, my life, your life and those of our loved ones is at stake. Call me infidel...I'm proud to be one.
Happy Trails...