Posted on 05/14/2008 12:43:53 PM PDT by marthemaria
The Blairs’ hearts sank when they learnt that George Bush’s victory over Al Gore in 2000 had been ratified and that he was to become President of the United States, Cherie Blair reveals in The Times today.
She tells how she and her husband watched Mr Bush on television and were concerned at his poor grasp of foreign affairs, but Mr Blair was determined to have a strong relationship with the Republican President.
Although they had initial reservations about his political leanings she and her husband learnt to appreciate “a very funny, charming man with a quirky sense of humour”.
Mrs Blair describes Mr Bush’s tendency to “talk Texan” – a trait that he himself has blamed for his bad press – but goes farther, comparing him with Bill Clinton, who is also from the South. She says: “Clinton may talk Southern, [but] he doesn’t think Southern, whereas Bush thinks Texan.”
In her autobiography, Speaking for Myself, serialised this week in The Times, Mrs Blair recalls that her first reaction on hearing about Bill Clinton’s relationship with Monica Lewinsky was: “Oh Bill, how could you?” and that he had been “bloody stupid”.
The Blairs met the Clintons only a few weeks after the story broke. Mrs Blair writes: “If I had been impressed by Hillary before, I was doubly impressed by her now. Dignity is not the word. I could see for myself how angry she was with him. Not just for humiliating her, but for jeopardising their joint project, and I could also see how desperately he was trying to win back her approval.”
She credits the Clintons’ daughter, Chelsea, with keeping the couple together afterwards.
Mrs Blair discussed the scandal with Mrs Clinton. “In her view, the way the right wing relentlessly pursued it was all part of a wider attempt by their enemies to discredit Bill. The most important aspect, she said, was not to let it undermine the presidency. So on a political, strategic level that was the line they took, that this had been politically motivated and stirred up by those who wanted to undermine the Democratic presidency. On a personal level, however, there is no doubt that she was furious and hurt, and rightly.”
Mrs Blair also reveals her affection for the Royal Family in an account of a dinner in 2005 on the day that London won the right to host the 2012 Olympic Games. The Queen thought that it was marvellous news and the Duke of Edinburgh said: “Of course, I’m so old I won’t be here then.”
Mrs Blair says: “Oh, sir, please don’t say that. I certainly hope you will.” She adds in her memoirs: “And I did. I was actually quite fond of the old boy.”
“Well, one needs to be realistic,’ added the Queen. “It’ll be for Charles and the boys, not for us.”
Mrs Blair writes: “I found the idea that the Queen might not be there quite upsetting.”
Given the longevity of the Queen Mum, I would be more surprised if Liz ISN’T around for it than if she is. Don’t know about Phillip.
BITE ME!
I am really sick of their B.S.
I remember watching some porno movies while in college that starred Cheri Bare. I wonder......??? But, like you, I really don’t give a hoot what she thinks about Mr. Bush.
Hmm, nice stuff, I have heard that President Bush is dynamite in personal situations, very funny and witty.
THINK Southern? Excuse me? I'm a New Englander who has never set foot in the South but even I found that rude.
What a friggin elitist snob.
How does one “Think Texan”?
If the Blairs were that impressed with Al Gore, JR, it was they who had a very weak grasp of foreign affairs.
If in the year 2000 the Blairs were that impressed with Al Gore, JR, it was they who had a very weak grasp of foreign affairs.
The audacity of these wives thinking because they married well they have a great deal of intellect to share.
What a stupid thing for her to write - the U.K. needs to have good relations with the U.S. long after she has ceased to be important in her own mind.
Cherie Blair: ‘Tony’s heart sank at Bush election win’
I could care less about what happens to a losers heart.
cherie Blair is forgetting that we defeated the British back in 1776. We don’t have to listen to the Brits any more.
Sure and becoming president wasn't on Hillary's mind as she subjected herself to shame and ridicule before the whole world. Never in History, as far as I am aware, has an individual been made to look so pathetic as did Hillary by her trading her self esteem for power.
Sure and becoming president wasn't on Hillary's mind as she subjected herself to shame and ridicule before the whole world. Never in History, as far as I am aware, has an individual been made to look so pathetic as did Hillary by her trading her self esteem for power.
Actually, Cherie Blair liked the Bushes quite a lot.
The problem isn’t Cherie, its the Times. They buried her positive commentary several clicks in.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015449/posts
They buried them so most people will never read them. But they are worth reading.
How much does it sink each time he reads a story about asian youths?
Oh, right! Which Republican congressmen was it who held a gun to Billy Boy's head and made him behave like a jackass with Ms. Lewinsky? (Or for that matter, who made Billy Boy do all the other low life and crass things he and his ‘wife’ did for 8 disgusting years? And last but not least, who made these two clowns review the troops at the airport the day they were leaving Washington .... AFTER President Bush had been inaugurated?)
I know that was meant to be derogatory but I'll take it as a compliment.
How does one “Think Texan”?
*******
It is a mindset.
Texan first...U.S. citizen second. When asked abroad, where you’re from, a Texas resident will reply that he’s a Texan. Most from the States will say “American” and then follow up by naming the state.
Now if we could only get the Bush family (RINO carpetbaggers) to move back to Kennebunkport permanently.
God Bless Texas! :-)
Bush doesn't "speak Texan", he speaks stupid. He can't string a single sentence together without mangling it. That isn't a "Texan" trait.
“How does one “Think Texan”?”
In trying my best to assume the sick perspective of an effete British snob, I’d say that she has a problem with our Commander in Chief’s highly admirable and effective PROACTIVE kicking of terrorist ass across the globe.
Very “cowboy-like” and very courageous, personally and politically.
Courage, action and leadership-concepts the Left will never understand.
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