(Haaretz).Likud's campaign strategy, according to some of its architects, will give the economy the same level of importance as security. While Likud's rivals plan to go after Netanyahu, Likud will stress his involvement in the economy, relying on his image as someone who already rescued the economy once. One Likud source said Netanyahu will be the election campaign's "Mr. Economy."
Kadima will probably take a swipe at Mr. Economy and accuse him of gambling on pension funds - and losing. Likud officials say they expect attacks of that sort but still believe that Netanyahu is "a winning brand-name" when it comes to the economy.
Likud is expected to retaliate by claiming to offer a more coherent approach than Livni on economic issues, while highlighting Livni's relative lack of experience in the area. This could be partly why Livni is surrounding herself with a team of economists, with whom she is reportedly consolidating a plan to "save the economy."
