US Democrats praise Blair over Iraq report

[Dave]

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39706000/gif/_39706351_vote_usa_2004_hyper.gif

Democrats in the United States have contrasted UK Prime Minister Tony Blair's reaction to the Butler report with the reaction of President George W Bush to similar findings in Congressional inquiries.
The newly chosen Democratic vice-presidential candidate, John Edwards, said Mr Blair had shown leadership whereas President Bush had not.

It is unusual for American politicians to make any comment on matters of controversy in Britain.

But after a period of strained relations between Mr Blair's Labour Party and the Democrats, it seems that the Democrats are ready to embrace Mr Blair.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3895393.stm

The democrats obviously recognise Blair's popularity with the American Public.

[Zan de Man]

This was the Tony Blair who, despite pleas from his own party not to be of help to Bush's re-election campaign, couldn't find time in his diary for a meeting with John Kerry during his last visit to the USA.

[Dave]

Zan did you know that from the top of the Labour party there has been a directive not to help or assist the Democrats in their campaign?

In 2000 many labour party members including many from the treasury helped Al Gore in the run up to the poll.

I have also heard that Gordon Brown has gone against the directive and has sent one of his key advisors out to the US to assist Kerry's team. :lol

I am a big Tony Blair fan, but even I am now finding his position untenable. It is now a question of when he will go, rather than will he go in my view.

[Zan de Man]

It doesn't surprise me. I am more sickened by Tony Blair as I have ever been by any UK head of government; and I include Margaret Thatcher in that list.

[Dave]

I remember back in 1997, my IT Manager at the time who was and still is as far as I know labour through and through, state that Blair was and is worse than Thatcher.

I wouldn't go that far as Labour have made vast inroads into public services in terms of spending.

However this government seems to be a lot slicker and more adept at hoodwinking the public than either Thatcher's or Major's government were.

[Zan de Man]

His government has done a lot to improve public services but has been a weak-kneed let-down on integrated transport policy. All they're doing is reverting to the Tory "build more roads" policy, which failed last time and will fail this time.

But it's his Iraq policy that has sickened me. And I've said enough about that already.

[Dave]

Did you see that documentary on Channel 4 recently about Tony Blair? It chronicled his rise to power. In it the investigative journalist came to the conclusion that Blair really did believe he could make a difference on the world scene and went against the advice of all around him, regarding his stance on Iraq.

He also surmised that Blair thought it would be the opportunity to set in stone his ability as a world leader, liberating the Iraqi's from the oppressive regime of Saddam and showing the world his ability to influence the US.

[E_Phillips]

I think for Blair, and UK political parties in general it is more a matter of supporting America as a country rather than the Democrats or Republicans. Looking at similarities in party policies the Democrats would be the 'natural' party for labour to support though, and the fact that this isnt happening supports my point.

[Dave]

I think for Blair, and UK political parties in general it is more a matter of supporting America as a country rather than the Democrats or Republicans

Would this be the reason why that he is polarising the UK from the EC for his staunch support of Bush?