Kerry win may spell trouble for Blair

[JoFerret]

http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=461152§ion=news

LONDON (Reuters) - Bill Clinton's re-election as a Democratic U.S. president in 1996 gave a massive boost to Tony Blair's successful bid to lead his own centre-left Labour Party to power in Britain a year later.

Blair was seen riding a global trend, his aides collaborated with Clinton's in both men's election triumphs, and the pair became close friends as their parties fraternised.

So two election cycles later on both sides of the Atlantic, the prospect of Democratic front-runner John Kerry toppling George W. Bush's right-wing Republican administration in November is cheering Blair as he mulls a 2005 election, right?

Wrong. At least in the short-term.

The British prime minister has become so politically wedded to Bush -- mainly via the Iraq war -- that the election of a liberal U.S. president with ideological roots far closer to his could, ironically, be more of a liability than a benefit.

"Defeat for Bush, though it could well be on the economy, would be seen by Blair's critics in this country as a vote against Iraq policy and therefore as a blow for Blair by them," said Warwick University politics professor Wyn Grant.>>

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[truthspeaker]

1. If Blair is still PM this November then the UK has serious problems

[trumad]

2. For Blair to jump in bed with Bush

after embracing everything Clinton, should tell you everything you need to know about Blair!

[liberalnurse]

3. Blair reminds me of the

"Horse of a different Color" from the "Wizard of Oz"......

He'll change from green to blue as soon as the oath is taken.....

[bluedeminredstate]

4. Oh well, in that case

I'll vote for Bush instead of the Democrat running against him. Wouldn't want Tony to have to answer for his decisions about Iraq.
:eyes:

[myrna minx]

5. Blair is the Norm Colman from across the pond. n/t

[truthspeaker]

6. heh heh!

Little inside Minnesota humor.