Comparing Pres Bush and Tony Blair

Weekly Standard Newsletter | April 16, 2004 | Jonathan Last

[daybreakcoming]

This week provided yet another opportunity to compare George W. Bush and Tony Blair. Again, our president came up a bit short. Blair had a brilliant and compelling essay in the Guardian over the weekend. Give it a read. Then look at the transcript of Bush's April 13 press conference.

A few differences stand out in particular. First, Blair's language allows that he understands our success in Iraq is a very open question. Bush speaks with astonishing--and, to me at least, vaguely unsettling--certitude on nearly every issue: the viability of democracy in an Islamic, Middle Eastern state; the question of whether or not we need more troops in Iraq; even his own reelection prospects.

Blair also makes the case that international terrorism has a vested interest in our failure in Iraq. The Bush administration has gone out of their way to downplay the links between terrorists and Iraq at every opportunity--despite much contradictory evidence.

And finally, Blair is unafraid to call a spade a spade. In a powerful passage Blair writes: "The truth is, faced with this struggle, on which our own fate hangs, a significant part of Western opinion is sitting back, if not half-hoping we fail, certainly replete with schadenfreude at the difficulty we find." This isn't a questioning of patriotism--it is an objective fact. Spend five minutes on the internet, scan the San Francisco Chronicle's letters page, read some of the reporting from Europe.

It would be nice if our president would be as bold, eloquent, and realistic.

Best, Jonathan V. Last

[driftless]

The libs know that Hussein was up to his neck in terrorist activities. But for obvious reasons they can't admit it publicly. Power is far more important to them than the defense of their own country.

[Ignatius J Reilly]

Who do you like in 08? I for one could get behind Condi and not because she is black AND woman, although I think it is time for us to have either (or both as with Condi). Ultimately though pick the best person for the job regardless of color/gender is best policy.

[graf008]

Perhaps they do. And Hussein was involved in terrorist activities since he was terroriszing his own people...


However, he was in direct opposition to radical Islam since he was a secularist. Makes it hard to work with someone when you have two opposing viewpoints and two opposing goals....

[CyberAnt]

I pretty much agree with your assessment.

[Ohioan]

I am no admirer of Tony Blair, who is a despicable Fabian Socialist. But do you really think that Scotland would be an easier fight for England than Iraq? Can you seriously compare the demonstrated military ability of the Iraqis to that of the Scots--repeatedly demonstrated?

That all said, we are lost in tangental folly in post-war Iraq. We should be celebrating our victory and getting out--now! This is absolutely counter-productive in the War on Terror. It is actually tending to legitimize the terrorist claims. Karl Rove has got the Administration off on this tangent, and he needs to go with an immediate change in policy.

A series of parades in major cities, as the units come home, would be a good patriotic rallying measure. Their continued presence in the face of widespread opposition will not only demoralize us, it will help the actual terrorists--all over the earth--recruit against us.

See Iraq.

William Flax

[graf008]

That is a wonderful question. I truthfully think Powell with a more conservative VP would be good (and potentially non-divisive which would be a very good thing). Maybe Thompson as VP.

Condi is too much of a flash-point now. I could imagine it being her vs. Clinton - and then a third-party would have a decent chance.

[Frunabulax]

First, Blair's language allows that he understands our success in Iraq is a very open question. Bush speaks with astonishing--and, to me at least, vaguely unsettling--certitude on nearly every issue: the viability of democracy in an Islamic, Middle Eastern state...

Gee, it's just so astonishing that an American would speak about the desire of all men to live free when any educated Briton knows about the inherent superiority of those born on a particular island-shaped lump of dirt.

Not that I don't have the highest respect for our loyal friends and allies, but they do have their blind spots.

[Mikey_1962]

Harold Ford is the son of a Congressman, Black and a Graduate of my alma mater University of Michigan.

He is savy, intelligent and articulate

[daybreakcoming]

Agree on your adjectives describing Ford but the last few times I have seen him articulate, the slime of the Demo party seems to have rubbed off on him....which made me wonder if he is interested in being the demo vp candidate.

[Da_Shrimp]

Tony Blair's Great Britain would have trouble invading Scotland, much less Iraq.

Erm, Scotland is part of Britain. I think we'd manage to invade our own country pretty much OK, thanks anyway.

[graf008]

And not a hardcore liberal extermist. Pretty conservative for his Party - which makes me worry that he will be a factor to deal with.

Side note, U of M is a great school. Probably the best public university out there (tough to say for a U of Wi grad).

[Mikey_1962]

US News rates UVA as best...followed by UofM and Cal Berkley

[graf008]

Yeah - but US News has some questionable rating criteria and really isn't an exact benchmark (notice the recent movement in their law school ratings). I take it with a salt rock...

[BerkeleyRight]