Revealed: Blair's secret mission to woo Kerry

[JoFerret]

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/story.jsp?story=577867

Tony Blair has sent one of his closest advisers on a secret peace mission to mend relations with John Kerry, the United States presidential challenger, The Independent on Sunday can reveal.

News of the confidential meeting comes as the campaign enters its final 48 hours, with the candidates running neck and neck. Mr Blair is concerned that he will appear isolated if George Bush loses in Tuesday's poll, because of his support for the Iraq war.

The Prime Minister authorised Philip Gould, his polling guru, to seek a meeting with Mary Beth Cahill, Mr Kerry's campaign manager. Lord Gould, a co-founder of New Labour, is one of Mr Blair's closest confidants who keeps him in constantly in touch with floating voters.

Ms Cahill is tipped to be chief of staff in a Kerry administration. The meeting, which took place 10 days ago in Washington, is being seen by aides to the Kerry campaign as an olive branch by Mr Blair.

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[saigon68]

1. Screw the Poodle-- He needs to go back to gardening

With out his being Butt Boy to the Bush Criminals this whole escapade would have been a lot harder to get underway.

[displacedtexan]

2. Blair. Appear. Isolated.

Loving it!

[truthisfreedom]

3. funny!

he's predicting the outcome by doing this.

[saigon68]

4. The Poodle

Tony Blair yesterday offered a crowded House of Commons his most direct apology yet for deficiencies in the intelligence dossiers he presented to MPs to help justify the invasion of Iraq in March 2003.

[JoFerret]

5. Faith-based porkies - lol - and the wind-up doll

[Tight_rope]

6. WTF: Blair trying to kiss some ass...WHAT?

Say it ain't so. The fool has finally awaken and realized that he was dupped. Or did Bush* fuck him over on a deal. I think a business deal went bad that's what happened.

[xchrom]

7. what a whore.

who won't tony blair go down on?

[Bernardo de La Paz]

8. Set aside cynicism. After the shouting, politicians still have to govern

Set aside cynicism. When all is said and done, politicians still have to govern.

It makes sense for the elected leader of the British people to get along well with the person likely to become the elected leader of the US people. Anything less would be irresponsible.

Advocating that such leaders be snitty and fold their arms and turn up their noses at each other is a recipe for unilateralism of the worst Bush kind.

[Rose Siding]

10. At this point, how differing are their views anyway?

[hippiechick]

14. Exactly.

He's not 'predicting' a Kerry win (last I heard, Tony wasn't clairvoyant) ... he's making sure he's got an 'in' with WHOEVER is in charge come January 20th.


:hippie:

[bemildred]

9. A straw in the wind? nt

[goforit]

11. Your going down with your best friend Bush, Blair. Enjoy the ride!!!

[ydya]

12. Tell the Blair Bitch project to fuck off...

If Tony hadnt been such a Bush bitch, W would not have been able to wage this atrocious war to make his buddies rich at the expense of innocent lives and billions of dollars.
Now you want to kiss up Tony? Well, FUCK OFF.
Enjoy the swirlie down the toilet with your buddy W.

[fedsron2us]

16. Blair has innocent blood on his hands.

If he had not supported Bush's war then tens of thousands of Iraqis would still be alive today.

The Nuremberg trials established that

"planning, preparing, and initiating aggressive war constitutes an international crime. And it is also established that atrocities -- crimes against humanity -- are not merely the responsibility of those who commit them, but also the responsibility of the highest government officials."

By these criteria Blair's complicity in the illegal invasion of Iraq makes him a war criminal.

Lets hope that a future President Kerry treats him with the contempt which he deserves.

[LibLabUK]

21. Hmm

"If he had not supported Bush's war then tens of thousands of Iraqis would still be alive today."

It's quite possible that British involvement in the war has saved Iraqi lives.

The relatively peaceful British zone in Iraq is points to the success of the UK military's methods, as opposed to the US' amateurish and brutish use of force in the US zone.


I don't for a second believe that the US wouldn't have engaged in this illegal war if it weren't for the cooperation of the Primeminister. The UK's involvement is purely PR, it makes it look like the US isn't acting alone.

I'm glad to see Mr Blair seeking to form a relationship with Mr Kerry, hopefully between them they can undo the damage that has been done by Bush and his cronies, and bring about a swift resolution to the Iraq crisis and limit the loss of life on all sides.

[donsu]

13. Blair is a liar and traitor to the UK

hope Kerry puts him in his place - foot wipe

[Tuttle]

15. Don't forget Poland!

n/t

Tut-tut

[nolabels]

22. LOL

:D

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

17. I hope President Kerry's snub is public and pointed

I've wanted Blair to fail a confidence vote ever since he joined Bushco's immoral Iraqi adventure.

Maybe Kerry will request one of Parliament once he's elected.

[Voltaire99]

18. They're both pro-war; I expect they'll get along swimmingly.

Kerry will hold nothing against the poodle--instead, he'll merely take the leash in hand. Much like a mutt showing submissiveness, Blair is preparing for his new master.

[Ima]

19. I hope somebody gives Blair a flea dip.

[Norquist Nemesis]

20. Blair's looking to survive

and being a politician. I don't like what he's done with regard to Iraq and supporting Bush. But be that as it may, he still needs to be mindful of the strong possibilities and opportunities of Kerry becoming the next President.

If nothing else, this gesture goes toward strengthening Kerry's argument of bringing people together to solve the mess in Iraq. Yes, it's opportunism on Blair's part. Maybe it's just me, but I'd rather have Blair reaching out in anticipation of the inevitable than giving a screw you attitude.