The Oil Drum: Europe

It is odd that Tony Blair is so popular in the US compared to the UK. I suppose compared to most US politicians he does appear to be almost a paragon of all the virtues. Young, personable and with outstanding rhetorical skills. On a personal note my partner has often called me Tony Blair's evil twin brother!

However, I think people who actually live in the UK do have certain advantages over Americans in relation to their ability to evaluate Tony Blair's qualities.

We are used to very articulate politicians with great rhetorical gifts. The cut and thrust of our parliamentary system promotes these qualities. Without them one is lost. I don't want to sound partisan, but most US politicians would have a really tough time surviving in the House of Commons. Bush's folksy charm just wouldn't work there. Bill Clinton, on the other hand would probably keep his head above water. But he was known as the great communicator after all.

I'm not making jugdement about their politics here, only their chances in a parliamentary environment like Westminster.

Anyway let's cut to the chase. I personally think that Blair is a total sham. I think he's pretty much a confidence trickster with most of the qualities of the charming fraudster. He is very shallow and seems to hate the study of detail. He is also incredibly reckless. He has the habit of saying the first thing that comes into his head when he's in a tight spot and then pulling back at a later date. He is also a primadona who really loves performing on the world stage. I think he's a frustrated rock star. If he was playing guitar in a band he would be the flashiest guitarist around, his fingers racing up and down the neck of his guitar at lightning speed, a flurry of cascading notes mesmerising the audience. He would use all the special effects pedals known to man. But he would have no soul in his palying. He would always play ten notes were one would do. He would not understand that the spaces imbetween notes are just as important as the notes themselves.

History will, I believe judge him very harshly. The British people already have. He is loathed by most people. Who regard him as a proven liar. He will be regarded as an almost tragic figure. A man who seemed to have great qualities at first, who simply pissed it all away for nothing. He will though I think seek fame and fortune in the US, as he's well passed his sell by date in the UK.