I'll admit, we are all worried as to what Lieberman will decide. After all, he isn't a real right winger (in the Jewish sense), and he certainly has no problems sitting in a Left wing government. His current behavior goes far beyond negotiating and shows that he plans to be a thorn in whatever government he chooses to join (he reminds me of the story about the body parts that were arguing as to who is the most important part of the body, if you know the joke, you know what I mean).

But here is the irony.

At this point all the religious parties have realized that his secular agenda is an anathema to them (hopefully this includes Shas and Bayit Yehudi). They will risk sitting with him in the Likud because they know they are most likely able to block him. But in a Kadima government that would be all but impossible.

This means, if Lieberman chooses Kadima, even with Meretz and Avoda by their side, the only way they have more than 59 seats is if one of the Arab parties throws them their support!

Can you imagine that? Lieberman helps form a Left wing government through Arab support!

Now that's ironic (and I would not put it past Lieberman to try that, as all he wants is power to set up his McCarthy lists).

So, in most likelyhood, he will choose the Likud first, and Bibi doesn't need to give him everything under the sun.

In a year or two, Lieberman may decide to pull out for other political adventures, but that leaves Bibi with a year or two to round up some Kadima rejects and bring them over to bolster his party (or even Labor!).

In any event, Bibi will have to find a way to defuse Lieberman's exagerated strength.

But still, it is ironic that if Lieberman chooses Left, he will most likely require the Arab support to do so.