Hey, remember that time in 2005 when Tom Friedman said that a Netanyahu-led Likud would electorally implode? And that a Sharon-led center would evacuate Gaza so the Palestinians could turn it into Dubai? Good times:

Why, you ask? Because the Likud under Bibi, and without Ariel Sharon, will be free to be itself - to represent the lunatic right in Israel, become a fringe party and drive over a cliff. Mr. Sharon will then also be free to be himself, to form a new party with other center-right and center-left figures, a party that can give Israel a solid majority for making a final settlement with the Palestinians - provided they ever get their act together and turn Gaza, their ministate, into something more like Dubai and less like Mogadishu.

Is being a "fringe party" the same thing as being the leading contender for Prime Minister? Because if it is then I totally understand why the left treats Friedman as the height of incisive nuance. And as for that "lunatic right" comment about Israeli opposition to territorial concessions - not so much.

Now you might say that the demographics have changed and Friedman isn't accountable for what he said four years in the past. Which would be fair, except the article was all about his predictions for a future in which Gaza had been evacuated and Netanyahu was running the Likud. I would suggest - all things considered - that he may have been off on a few details.

This is brought to you by the same guy who hopes that Obama is closet radical, who can't understand why there weren't mass Muslim protests in response to Mumbai, and who believes that Iran is on the brink of collapse.

So that's great news for those of you concerned about Iranian nuclearization. Because he's an expert.

References:
* Rooting for Bibi Is Rooting for Israel [Friedman / NYT]
* Consensus forming on Likud-led unity gov't with Kadima [JPost]
* Yesha Council revels in Lieberman's success [YNet]
* Radical in the White House [Friedman / NYT]
* Sleepless in Tehran [Friedman / NYT]
* Calling All Pakistanis [Friedman / NYT]

Previously:
* Social Science Confirms: Sheer Stupidity Only Explanation For Democratic Jews (Plus: Joe The Plumber Agrees: "A Vote For Obama Is A Vote For The Death Of Israel")
* AQ Complains That Hamas Is Not Insane Enough
* People Who Live In Glass Context Houses Shouldn't Throw Stones