Comments on: Porush Opposes Deri – Favors Primaries

By: lazerc

lazerc — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 03:48:59 +0000

Meir Porush is on the outs with everyone. He was not supported by his own people in Agudah (especially Ger) in his bid for mayor. He stands much to lose in any primary and in any election.

Deri is much adored in Israel, not just by S’fardim, but by many Askenazim. He has much to gain by elections.

I live in Jerusalem and am an Askenazi. If I had the choice (which I won’t have) of voting for Porush or Deri, I would chose Deri. Why? I spoke several times to Porush and hated it each time. Porush is in because of his father’s political connections, not because he helps people; Deri is in because he helps plain people like you and me.

Deri is a people’s candidate; Porush is in it for himself.

By: akuperma

akuperma — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 21:10:49 +0000

Small parties don’t need primaries in the Israeli system. It isn’t clear if big ones should have primaries either. If a party doesn’t pick candidates or policies that make their voters happy, the voters will switch. Anyone can set up a party in Israel, and if they can get 2% of the vote, they’re in. In the US, a new party needs over a third of the vote to have a chance of winning.

By: MiAnochi

MiAnochi — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 20:45:31 +0000

I like the concept of primaries. It would eliminate in-fighting which is common-place in all political parties in Israel and the Chareidim are not excluded. As far as the Moetzas Gedolei Yisrael approving or not approving a candidate, I think it would be more prudent and fair if that approval process happens BEFORE rather than after the primaries.

By: akuperma

akuperma — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 20:17:20 +0000

Pourash is a leader of a rival party. It isn’t news when one says something negative about a rival party. Remember that with proportional represenation, parties compete against those most similar in ideology rather against their ideological opposites.

By: Milhouse

Milhouse — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 20:12:44 +0000

What sense is there in having the Moetzes vet candidates after the primaries? This vetting must take place before the primaries, so that no effort and expense is wasted choosing candidates who will then be deemed unsuitable. The primary voter should be confident that when he is presented with a list of candidates to choose between, they are all erliche yidden who have been approved by the Moetzes, and if they are chosen they will represent the Agudah in the elections.