SPECULATION:
I saw Tony Blair yesterday afternoon, in a brief statement congratulating President Bush on his re election. He congratulated Bush, expressed determination to continue the war on terror, called for intervention to settle the Palestinian/Israeli traumas ...
BUT ... Mr. Blair looked extremely tense and a little worried ... it was not like his usual cheerful, determined and erudite appearances ...
Perhaps I'm a little hypersentitive. Perhaps he knows something ... dunno ... what do y'all think?
Any feedback would be welcome.
John Howard has been reelected, now GWB, and it's all on his shoulders to keep the coalition intact. And things don't look good for him.
That and another OBL tape. The focus is now totally narrowed to the UK. It's the last major country/election to affect with a possible attack.
My perception of Mr. Blair's appearance was the same as yours, Tilly. He seemed almost distracted. By what, I don't know.
Thanks for your earlier post about our Thune victory. It's been an exhausting two months for me, my family, and all the other dedicated campaign staffers and workers. It was all worth it. And you have no idea how very much we appreciate the support, both financial and moral, from all our FRiends from other states.
After I clean my house, catch up on laundry, bill paying, etc...........I'm going to rest.
Blair has problems of his own in this country: an election is looming, most likely next May. He's been under increasing pressure from his own back benchers some of whom are less than thrilled about Bush's re-election. Also an alleged behind-the-scenes leadership dispute with his Chancellor adds to the pressure. He's had heart problems in the last few months, too. The deployment of the Black Watch soldiers nearer to Baghdad has caused much controversy here. If there are major casualties there then his position could become quite precarious. (Apart from those minor worries, he's fine!).
I heard one commentator say that Blair was fairly indifferent to the US election result. If Bush won, then it could serve as a vindication of the US/UK policy in Iraq which could help Blair's election chances. Alternatively, if Kerry won, then it would serve to draw a line under what some see as a disastrous alliance with Bush, and the chance of a new start. It really depends on what side of the fence you sit.
Traditionally, the Labour Party would be more aligned to the Democrats in the US, so Blair's close alliance with Bush and the Republicans (albeit because of the war in Iraq) rather turns things on their head.
As for him looking tense, we can only speculate about the sort of intelligence that must be passing across his desk on a daily basis now, so a furrowed brow would not be at all surprising.
No doubt he was not gleeful in his congrads, and like he was saying ok George, I've taken the heat from my country, you have to help me out here