It's looking more and more like Katsav will be stepping down early from the Presidency.

Until now, Katsav’s term has been remarkably absent of any controversy (except for the “Rabbi” thing, and he was right there). On the other hand, while he consistently promoted unity, there were times when he should have taken a position on things and he didn’t.

Though right now it looks like he may have been promoting a little too much of a unity position. Still, I’m going to take a wait-and-see approach to hear the final results. It just seems so incongruous from what we've seen of him publicly.

In the meantime the candidates are taking their places at the starting gate. In the front we have former Chief Rabbi Meir Lau, Former Speaker of the Knesset Ruby Rivlin, and I’m sure Shimon Peres is in the list somewhere (if he isn't afraid to lose yet another election).

Personally, JoeSettler endorses Ruby Rivlin for the position of President of Israel.

Rivlin, besides displaying and acting on his strong feelings for Judaism and Eretz Yisrael has proven that he can be non-partisan when required (when he was Speaker) up to the point that it makes sense to be. There are no known skeletons rattling around in his closet (they had more than enough opportunity to come to the fore when he was about to be appointed Justice Minister).

Rivlin has taken strong, clear, and good stances in how he thinks the country should work and define itself. And he took clear strong positions in opposing the Disengagement, and as a brave, nearly solo voice (along with Uzi Landau and Moshe Feiglin) challenging Aharon Barak’s attempt to vandalize and rule this country with his judicial activism (though I do disagree with how Rivlin disengages Barak the person from Barak the Justice – as I don’t think they are at all disconnected).

It would be a shame to lose Rivlin in the Knesset, but on the other hand, perhaps he will have an even more positive influence as President - as a symbol of unity and for promoting Jewish ideals and values.