Posted on 11/12/2004 2:06:43 PM PST by Uncledave
Blair appears to cringe at 'poodle' query
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON -- It was the last question Prime Minister Tony Blair wanted asked, and he seemed to cringe as President Bush answered it.
"The prime minister is sometimes, perhaps unfairly, characterized in Britain as your poodle," began the questioner at a joint appearance by the two leaders Friday at the White House. "I was wondering if that's the way you may see your relationship? And perhaps, more seriously, do you feel for the -"
Blair broke in: "Don't answer 'yes' to that question," he mockingly admonished Bush, prompting laughter.
Joking aside, Bush offered a serious answer.
"Plenty capable of making his own mind. He's a strong, capable man," the president said. "When times get tough he doesn't wilt. You know, when the criticism starts to come his way - I suspect that might be happening on occasion - he stands for what he believes in."
An endorsement of his leadership qualities from the American president, no matter how hearty, is of little help to Blair.
A wide section of the British public deeply dislikes Bush, viewing him as a unilateralist. The detention of four Britons without trial at Guantanamo Bay, his refusal to sign the Kyoto global warming protocol, his rejection of an international criminal court, and his invasion of Iraq without a specific green light from the United Nations add to his unpopularity.
Blair's critics are unlikely to be swayed from their conviction that the prime minister doggedly follows U.S. foreign policy without exerting any real influence.
No wonder Blair appeared a bit uncomfortable. Still, he couldn't resist offering a little self-defense.
"As long as I remain prime minister of our country it will carry on being strong - not because that's in the interests of America simply or in the interests of the international community, but because I believe passionately it is in the interest of Britain," Blair said.
whew. No prob.
BTTT
anyone know who did it. There was no need to phrase it that way to a guest.
I'll fax his editor a piece of my mind at such churlish childish behavior.
Just on Britt, the name of the reporter was David Charter of Times of London.
The reporter obviously finished off the box of lemons (limes?) sent to the office before writing this.
The reporter was from the The Times. British.
It's stupid statements like that, that make me wish that Roosevelt had been a "unilateralist."
Say whut?
NO journalist EVER asked Kerry a question even vaguely similar in nature. Hell, he wasn't even asked a tough question.
For example, "Senator, why do you refuse to release your official service records?"
Does he work for CBS?
"This paragraph sums it all up:
"A wide section of the British public deeply dislikes Bush, viewing him as a unilateralist. The detention of four Britons without trial at Guantanamo Bay, his refusal to sign the Kyoto global warming protocol, his rejection of an international criminal court, and his invasion of Iraq without a specific green light from the United Nations add to his unpopularity."
THESE ARE THE EXACT REASONS WHY WE RE-ELECTED PRESIDENT BUSH. SO, GREAT BRITIAN, SCREW YOU."
Oh nice. Is it not the case that a wide section of the American public deeply dislikes Bush for the same reasons? Not quite the majority though.
So, GianniV, screw you too!
"This reporter was from The Times if I heard correctly. They usually have a left bent to their vision "
Actually, that's not true. The Times is Murdoch owned and is not considered leftist.
Interesting to see their report on this incident though,
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-1356721,00.html
They don't identify the reporter as being one of theirs, in fact they don't even name him.
I believe it was the author of the article you linked, David Charter, who asked that stupid question in the first place. I wouldn't want to identify myself either.
Here you have 2 of the most powerful men in the world at a presser and THIS is the question he feels is necessary? Most 9 year olds could do better.
Prairie
Blair's a Bullmastiff (even though he sounds like CP3O).
Who was this jerk? We need names.
Per the Times article - Slime ball twist of the phrase being "lucky". The readership should demand his pink slip for such disrepect and moronic questions.
Bush a unilaterist, then Roosevelt was a unilateralist too when he saved their skin from the nazis.
He was embarrassed for the reporter. And FWIW, I thought the president looked pretty po'ed on Blair's behalf.
It was Chater.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.