Trump stops short of endorsing Bibi as his campaign falters

When Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump met in the Oval Office two weeks ago, the president asked the Israeli prime minister how he was doing in the polls ahead of an Oct.

27 election.

Netanyahu paused.

Then one of his advisers piped up: "Mr.

President, he is winning," the aide said, according to a U.S. official familiar with the exchange.

Why it matters: Netanyahu is not winning.

And so far, Trump hasn't given him the endorsement he hopes for, despite being asked about it repeatedly by reporters.

The president could still change his mind.

But with just 75 days left until the election, time is running short for Netanyahu.

State of play: Netanyahu's current coalition has 49 to 53 seats in those surveys — far fewer than the 68 seats it holds today and the 61 needed to swear in a government.

Israel's opposition parties, on the other hand, have 67 to 70 seats.

Netanyahu's main rival, former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot, has better favorability ratings in most of the polls.

But Netanyahu doesn't necessarily have to win.

He just needs to not lose.