While across the pond
Today my MSN name has been the not-nearly-as-provocative-as-I-had-hoped “Gentleman, place your bets.” Except for those who wanted to know what I was blathering on about, my fellow UK nationals ignored it.
Three Americans, however, dropped me a line to predict a Labour victory and, tentatively, express support for Tony Blair. The way the PM is viewed in the US contrasts somewhat with his reptuation back home. The Democrats, it’s true, are confused by the support of a progressive politician for President Bush and the invasion of Iraq.
Republicans, on the other hand, love him for his loyalty and support (check out www.thankyoutony.com, if you really want to go through the looking glass). The apolitical, too, seem to like him - partly for his friendship to the US, but also, according to one American, “just because he’s well spoken and comes across really well. My aunt,” he added, “loves him.”
Talking to Americans about Tony Blair is reminiscent of talking to the British about Bill Clinton today: unpopular in their own country, adored by many across the Atlantic, at least partly because of unflattering comparisons with George W. Bush. The grass, it seems, is always greener.
As I write, Labour have just held Birmingham Edgbaston, with a swing to the Conservatives of only 3 percent, more in line with the exit polls. The fear abates a little.