Tony Blair

[PaulaSB12]

I was just wondering last night. What is the view of the American people and the American news media of the British prime minister Tony Blair. Over here he is in some places considered to be Bush's lap dog but I wanted to know how he is viewed in America.

 

[bsnyder]

I've always found it curious - the liberal Blair is generally held in high esteem by all but the most rabid sufferers of Bush Derangement Syndrome.

Yet those who claim Bush "lied us into war" and that he is only pushing the "terror/fear" buttons for political gain never have a logical explaination for why Blair shouldn't be accused of those very same things.

Then again, maybe that "Bush Lied" crap is all really about politics.

 

[Laura]

I've always found it curious - the liberal Blair is generally held in high esteem by all but the most rabid sufferers of Bush Derangement Syndrome.

Yet those who claim Bush "lied us into war" and that he is only pushing the "terror/fear" buttons for political gain never have a logical explaination for why Blair shouldn't be accused of those very same things.

Then again, maybe that "Bush Lied" crap is all really about politics.

I don't hold him in high esteem. I think he's Bush's lapdog too. I don't know any liberals who don't think Blair needs to grow himself a backbone.

But nice try, Bet.

 

[Robinrs]

I was just wondering last night. What is the view of the American people and the American news media of the British prime minister Tony Blair. Over here he is in some places considered to be Bush's lap dog but I wanted to know how he is viewed in America.

I agree with the Brits, lap dog is cute but brown noser is more of how I see it.

 

[bsnyder]

I don't hold him in high esteem. I think he's Bush's lapdog too. I don't know any liberals who don't think Blair needs to grow himself a backbone.

But nice try, Bet.

Then why not say he lied and accuse him of naked political ambition?

 

[crazyforgoofy]

I agree with the Brits, lap dog is cute but brown noser is more of how I see it.

How about 'Bush's brown-nosed poodle'?

 

[ead79]

I think the answer to your question depends on the political ideaology of the American you ask. Generally speaking, conservative Americans like Blair a lot and liberal Americans don't care for him as much and see him as being too closely aligned with President Bush. So it generally depends on your political views.

 

[HOGFAN]

not Bush's lapdog but partner in the war on terror.

 

[Pigeon]

Bush's lapdog.

 

[lecach]

Never really thought about him in relation to Bush. I do think he's hot though

 

[Crankyshank]

I liked him when Clinton was in office, but now I think he's just another political panderer sucking up to anyone that he thinks can boost him politically.

 

[Rajah]

I think the answer to your question depends on the political ideaology of the American you ask. Generally speaking, conservative Americans like Blair a lot and liberal Americans don't care for him as much and see him as being too closely aligned with President Bush. So it generally depends on your political views.

I admit, I don't follow politics too much, and I'm a moderate. But with that caveat, I'll always have at least some respect for him for how he jumped to help us out after 9/11

 

[Teejay32]

Great orator IMO. He spoke to Congress a few years back, I was blown away.

I don't think people really know what to make of him though...he sounds like an ally, but some people are

about the rising extremism in the UK going unchecked..and then there's those who think he's a poodle. Mixed opinions.

 

[Chicago526]

Honestly, other than knowing that he's backed Bush 100% on just about everything, I really don't know much about his views in regards to UK domestic issues. While I appreciate his (and the UK's) support (it's nice to know the US still has a few friends in the world) I think he came down on the wrong side when it came to the war in Iraq (I'm totally cool with Afganistan, though!).

 

[dcentity2000]

He just got booed out of his keynote speech.

I don't agree with his policies, but I still pity him. Compare pictures of him before premiership and pictures of him recently - he's really aged



Rich::

 

[CheshireVal]

I've always kind of liked Tony Blair (he just kind of seems like a good and somewhat cool guy), but I do think of him as Bush's lapdog.

He's in somewhat of a tough situation, though, as far as that's concerned. It would take a lot of guts to go against Bush.... probably just easier (possibly more strategic, too) for him to go along with everything.

 

[Pugdog007]

I like him a lot. Hate that he's stepping down.

 

[gris gris]

I'm going to show my ignorance to world events right now.....why is he stepping down? Is it an election year in 2007?

 

[Laura]

Then why not say he lied and accuse him of naked political ambition?

Should I have said that instead of agreeing that he's Bush's lapdog? I don't get it--what specific thing am I supposed to post here?

 

[Olaf]

It would take a lot of guts to go against Bush.... probably just easier (possibly more strategic, too) for him to go along with everything.

Guts to go against Bush!!! What? It takes guts to stand by him. He's being forced out as head of his party primarily because of his association with Bush.

History will judge Tony Blair far more fairly than the current members of his party.