WHAT PART OF FAILURE DOESN'T OLMERT UNDERSTAND? According to the Winograd Report, there was a

"severe failure in the lack of judgment, responsibility and caution."

The failure was not in a particular action that was taken; it was a failure in personal qualities, the kinds of failures that are remedied by a change in personnel--like by holding a new election. After all, both Olmert and Peretz have limited security experience--and there is every reason to believe that another war is around the corner.

Yet the responses to the report show how those involved try to dance around the implications of the report and ignore them:

o Olmert, after receiving a copy of the panel's findings, said that "failures will be remedied."

o "It is right to state as clearly as possible: The report lists difficulties, failures and mistakes by all the leaders, including the prime minister," [Cabinet Secretary Israel] Maimon told Israel Radio. "The question is what do we do now.

o Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Vice Premier Shimon Peres pledged that the report's findings would be taken seriously. "We shall correct everything that calls for correction," he said.

o Olmert's office declined comment until the report's official publication, but aides said Olmert was confident he would weather the storm and that he had no intention of quitting.

A leader should how to lead, but also when to resign.
Golda Meir did.
Olmert does not.

Update: Yid With Lid also draws thea comparison of Meir and Olmert--with Olmert on the short end.

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