Blair is responsible for,
1 Scandal after scandal Eccelstone, David Kelly etc
2 Iraq, lies corruption and 2 dogey dossiers
3 Credit crunch
4 Stealth taxes
5 Dome, doom
6 Can somebody compile a dogey dossier on Bliars dogey deals it would be a foot .
7 400% of his cabinet had to resign over scandals, Mendelsson,

Grundoon: I don’t see aloofness or disdain at all in Obama. I see enormous passion for what he cares about, albeit delivered in a very calm manner. And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. (That said, he is absolutely capable of showing and stirring passions and emotions – did you not see his DNC acceptance speech?!).

Beowulf: I was using Klein’s quote as an example of Obama and Blair’s *tactics* as opposed to character. They have both had to convince an unconvinced country that they are ready to lead them, and that it is safe in their hands. This is exactly what New Labour had to do after over a decade of the Conservatives in power (and coincidentally, as with Obama now, they had to do it with a younger, charismatic leader/speaker who seemed to represent a new way of thinking).

No! What happens next? A great reforming leader? A man who led his party out of the wilderness, and was repeatedly elected (limited of course to 2 terms in the USA). A man who devolved power AWAY from the centre (to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) A leader who settled a centuries-long conflict in his own land (N Ireland)? Who brought in the minimum wage despite business and Tory opposition? A leader who saved Muslims from Christians in Kosovo and stopped murder in Sierra Leone? A man who saw and understood the spreading grasp of a fundamentalist religious/political movement and would not leave it for future generations?

Since the policy ideas, purpose and vision are missing from Obama, whereas they poured out of every Blair pore, I assume you are referring to disappointment.

On, perhaps Iraq?

Well in that case, people need to grow up! Life is a disappointment. And then you die.

We elect politicians to decide because if we didn’t, we’d all kill one another trying to get our own ways.

It certainly couldn’t be anything to do with being or doing anything “crazy”. He was probably the most sane leader we’ve had for decades despite constant press traducement, which could have driven many mad.

I admit to not knowing enough about Obama or McCain, but I DO firmly believe that we need strong leadership in the USA. We have seen the reality of the “globalisation” of the world over the financial turmoil. Blair has often mentioned this, and as usual, he is right.

Have no doubt that if the west is happy to watch America shrink in importance internationally A.N. Other will take its place.

And another thing on disappointment – I didn’t think we had the Messiah when Blair first appeared on the scene, so did not set myself up for a crash. In fact I have never voted Labour until very recently, and then not consistently. But Tony Blair grew on me. And I think he was a far better leader at the end than in the beginning.

So if it’s disappointment you refer to …. people shouldn’t expect a political leader to be above politics. A reality check will land on the table of the new president, whoever he is.