Reply #44: I think the critical question [View All]

[eyl]

is how fast Kadima can organize itself as a real party.

Even if (hopefully) Sharon survives, and is mentally unimpaired, he's highly unlikely to be capable of resuming the PM's duties; at best, he's in for a long convalescence. And even if he were, his health - and the chance he'll survive a full term, or even a significant part of one - will be much more of an issue in the election. For Kadima to survive, it needs to transform itself from a one-man show, essentially a vehicle for Sharon, into a real party, with a clear platform and clear lines/means of succession and secondary leaders. I assume its members will make the attempt to do so, if only because of predator pressure (the other party lists are closed by now, and I doubt they'll be opened just to benefit those who jumped ship, so Kadima's members don't really have anywhere to go); the question is if they can do so fast enough to take the election.