For those of you suffering clinical symptoms of campaign withdrawal, I have just the fix for you, an electoral equivalent of methadone. Won't give you the same "Yes We Can" high, but should provide you with a target for your righteous indignation and get you through inauguration day. And it comes complete with a contemptible character known for his own Rovian knack for sucking the meaning out of just about any word. Elections in Israel are set for February 10, 2009.

The two leading parties are the Likud, headed by former Prime Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu, and Kadima, headed by current Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. The big issue? Peace talks with the Palestinians.

And go:

"Netanyahu does not want to halt talks, but he believes it's premature to talk about a final peace deal, and sharing control of Jerusalem is out of the question," Libster said.

Instead, he thinks talks with the Palestinians should focus on developing their economy, with political matters to be discussed only after economic conditions on the ground improve. "Economic peace has to come first," she said.

Any rational observer will tell you that Netanyahu's position is a non-starter, and would halt the very talks his spokeswoman says he does not want to halt.

Economic peace? I knew Bibi wouldn't let me down.