Stop Blair: ambition to lead Europe hits fierce opposition

[Lone_Star_Dem]

Source: Guardian

EU track record and Iraq seen as obstacles to getting new post of president

Tony Blair's hopes of becoming Europe's first president are running into mounting opposition across the EU, with Germany determined to stymie the former prime minister.

A "Stop Blair" website run by pro-Europeans has launched a petition against him; a transnational, cross-party caucus in the European parliament is forming to campaign against a Blair presidency; senior officials in Brussels are privately dismissive about the new post going to a Briton; and senior diplomats in European capitals also doubt that Blair is the right person for the post being created under Europe's new reform treaty.

"There was surprise in Berlin when Blair's name came up so soon," said a European ambassador. Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany admires Blair and has "great personal sympathy for Tony", he added.

"But more generally the German political elite would be puzzled by the idea of Tony Blair. His track record on EU matters is not so great. There is unease about a Briton at the top in that job. And then personally with Blair, there's the Iraq thing."

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/feb/20/eu.spain?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront

[MaggieSwanson]

1. Blair.

"And then personally with Blair, there's the Iraq thing"

Exactly.

[Eurobabe]

2. Why the hell would we want Bush's lapdog?

Fuck off Blair. You blew it.

[calimary]

4. Perhaps it's the bush/cheney machinery that wants it.

After all, with their pal in the correct position, any potential "problems" with extradition or threats against their free travel across borders would just magically evaporate. If the World Court were to speak up, dear tony would be good for safe passage.

Just a guess, of course.

[Eurobabe]

7. oooh how devious

Angela is getting an email from me!! Auf Deutsch!

[acmavm]

9. It's the Neocons who want him. Remember the recent bitching because

NATO won't jump when they say jump? Well, they figure if they have the Poodle in charge, then the European nations will be jumping all over the place.

[Beregond2]

3. Blair

I find it astounding he would even try for this. It can't possibly lead to anything but a humiliating defeat. Even his own country wouldn't support him. What is he thinking? Maybe he wants a chance to redeem himself after the Iraq fiasco, but that is out of the question.

[arewenotdemo]

6. War criminals are good at just this sort of thing, pushing for public rehabilitation.

When the Hague should be calling.

Think Wolfowitz and the World Bank.

[autorank]

5. Rate it up! This guy belongs in jail.

He falsified data to create a rationale to fight in Iraq. He's a nasty little man, in a figurative sense. He doesn't care about Great Britain, he doesn't care about the USA or the rest of the world, he's just about himself and his crackpot philosophy. He came here and was part of the conspiracy to commit a war crime - invading a nation preemptively for a falsified reason.

President of Europe, my God. He might be trustee of his cell block, however.

Excellent post!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dipsydoodle]

8. The boot is on the other foot now

"And then personally with Blair, there's the Iraq thing"

[Jensen]

10. KIck and K&R

[Solly Mack]

11. Just say nein

[Anarcho-Socialist]

12. Blair's ego

Before Blair stepped down from being PM, some journalists speculated that Blair wanted a future EU President's job.

Just in case some of our American friends don't know, that the EU President isn't quite like being President of a country. It's more the status of being official head of a supranational organisation, but without much executive power.

In any case, if EU convergence increases the position could become more powerful.

Besides, I think Blair has abused power enough without giving him the top EU job. The EU needs someone with credibility, not a delusional liar.

[LeftishBrit]

13. Frankly, I don't think many Brits are keen on this idea!

[Across the pond]

14. ...no they ain't

First he's off galivanting around the Middle East proving to be frankly useless and now he's after this...it's all part of his effort to spread his crusading zeal to every corner of the globe that doesn't want it...

[provis99]

15. oh, poor Tony

Well, I'm sure the Queen will knight him in compensation if he's not the EU leader; or give him the Victoria Cross, or a signed picture of Margaret Thatcher, or something else to make him feel better about his loathesome self.