It's when summits and gatherings of world leaders like this occur that you can see the fruits of all the time and effort W puts into cultivating and maintaining good relationships among world leaders. And those relationships are essential when it comes down to being united on critical group positions. He knows exactly what he's doing.
I would've loved to have been a fly on the wall in the talks between W and Blair, because you know they're strategizing their moves. They're wonderful allies, and I'm so grateful for Blair and this bond they've formed .
We're watching a very high level of gamesmanship here. If Putin could be convinced to peel away a few of his secretive layers with anyone, it takes someone like Pres. Bush, with his savvy and humor, to get him to let down his guard a bit.
But I believe, like you Wolfie, that Putin is very paranoid, very insecure next to W, and he seems bent on gathering his own support to compete with and be an obstacle to W . . especially with Iran and his take on Israel ..and he was pretty pointed in some of sarcastic digs, masked with humor. Of course, he can always count on France, the feckless.
IMO Putin pooped on us at this event, but W's got and will play all his strong cards as needed.
Prayers for President Bush, Israel, our brave troops, and peace in the Middle East.
Of course. :)
The landscape has changed. Now, in addition to Blair, there's Harper, Merkel, and Koizumi. Add GWB's vote and that's five of the eight. Plus I really believe many nations have just had it up to here with the Islamofacists.