Obama's lost senate seat is a victory for Netanyahu (NEW PICTURES!)

haaretz ^ | 16:06 20/01/2010 | By Aluf Benn, Haaretz Correspondent

[Cinnamon Girl]

The Republican upset in the race for the U.S. Senate seat held for nearly half a century by liberal Edward M. Kennedy reflects a huge victory for opponents of U.S. President Barack Obama - and also for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Scott Brown defeated once-favored Martha Coakley for the Massachusetts seat even after U.S. President Barack Obama rushed to Boston on Sunday to try to save her candidacy.

Over the past nine months, Netanyahu has managed to curb pressure from Obama, who enjoys a Democratic majority in both houses of Congress. Now, however, Obama will be more dependent on the support of his Republican rivals, the supporters and friends of Netanyahu.

No Israeli politician matches his steps to the political goings-on in the U.S. as much as Netanyahu. He dragged out negotiations over the settlement freeze and then decided it would last for 10 months and end in September - just in time for U.S. Congressional elections in which Democrats are expected to suffer heavy losses.

Netanyahu understood he must withstand the pressure until his right-wing supporters recapture a position of power on Capitol Hill and work to rein in the White House's political activities. The election in Massachusetts, one of the most liberal states in America, will from this moment on be a burden for Obama.

Proponents of the peace process will view this as a missed opportunity for Obama, who spent his first year in office on fruitless diplomatic moves that failed to restart talks between Israel and the Palestinians. From now on, it will be harder for Obama. Congressional support is essential to the political process and in the current political atmosphere in the U.S. - in which the parties are especially polarized - Netanyahu can rely on Republican support to thwart pressure on Israel.

[Cinnamon Girl]

Angel Gurria, left, Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD, and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speak to the press after their meeting in Jerusalem, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010. Gurria is visiting Israel to hold a series of meetings with its leaders ahead of OECD's decision whether to accept Israel as a member.

BERLIN - JANUARY 18: In this handout image supplied by the Israeli Government Press Office (GPO), German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attend a press conference following talks at the Chancellery on January 18, 2010 in Berlin, Germany. Netanyahu called for immediate international sanctions to be placed on Iran. Netanyahu and his delegation are in Berlin for a round of German-Israeli government consultations.

Does Bibi ever smile like this with Ozero or Mitchell?

There is something kind of amazing about how true it is to call last night's victory "the Scott heard 'round the world."

[scottdeus12]

I love Bibi. He rocks.

If only America had a leader like him....(sigh).....

[Cinnamon Girl]

This is the BIBI ping list.

BERLIN - JANUARY 18: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the underground Holocaust Memorial museum on January 18, 2010 in Berlin, Germany.

BERLIN - JANUARY 18: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) presents a prayer in Hebrew written by a Holocaust survivor to the Holocaust Memorial museum as German Chancellor Angela Merkel looks on on January 18, 2010 in Berlin, Germany. Netanyahu and his delegation are in Berlin for a round of German-Israeli government consultations.

Scott Brown's election didn't just effect Massachusetts, or just the U.S. It really has consequences and repercussions around the world.

[GOPsterinMA]

PING!

This Goyum LOVES Bibi!!!!!!

[RobbyS]

An aside: Angela has certainly aged in the last six years.

[BARLF]

I know that can't be,but it sure looks like Rumsfeld shaking hands with Netanyahu.

[Tax-chick]

Sigh .... *thud*.

[SevenofNine]

What in the world Chancellor Merkal doing squeeze Bibi arm what in the world is that ROFL

[SevenofNine]

What in the world Chancellor Merkal doing squeeze Bibi arm what in the world is that ROFL

[ohiogrammy]

And why would someone call her attractive when she was running? Wasn't she the one with her cleavage showing in photos?

[sheik yerbouty]

I believe a German paper caught her ample buttocks at some resort..

[Cinnamon Girl]

Looks like she’s checking his guns.

[expatpat]

Maybe a majority of Jews will vote Republican in November? Naw....

[Cyber Liberty]

There's more love for the USA in this picture than there is in Obzo's entire Cabinet.

[Digger]

If only America had a leader like him....(sigh).....

He's really the only leader in the world today.

[SevenofNine]

Yeah I think so ROFL

[Cinnamon Girl]

Good call.

[maica]

So has Bibi. I am avoiding my cable company by watching videos saved from the Bush years. Yesterday I saw the Prime Minister just after the attack on the US on Sep 11, 2001.

He was just as committed to protecting Israel then as now.

[Raymann]

I don’t get it. True the man is more free market then not but he’s no further to the right then say Bill Clinton. He was personally responsible for instituting Israel’s Value Added Tax.

Then again I’m not the best person to ask. Israel is a socialist nation and I have no bone to pick in a fight between socialists and terrorists.

[Cinnamon Girl]

Israel has been steadily moving away from socialism thanks to Bibi. They are innovators in all areas, medical, technological, defense. Check the Israel Test by George Gilder. Is there something in particular you are referring to with regard to Bibi’s political leanings?