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VIDEO MONTAGE: Bush and Blair’s Farewell Love Fest

This morning, President Bush and outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair held their final press conference together in the Rose Garden. The two men perhaps most responsible for the war in Iraq spent virtually the entire time heaping praise on one another.

“You’ve been unyielding, unflinching, and determined,” Blair told Bush, confessing at one point, “I totally agree with what the President was saying, we have the same position exactly.”

Bush contrasted Blair with the “hot-air artists” and “blowhards in the political process,” saying, “this good man is a courageous man.” “Will I miss working with Tony Blair?” he asked. “You bet I will.”

Watch our video montage of the love fest:

[flv http://video.thinkprogress.org/2007/05/bushblairmontage.320.240.flv]

Transcript:

BUSH: I’m pleased to welcome Tony Blair back to the White House. He is a good friend.

BLAIR: Well, thank you very much, Mr. President.

BUSH: I have enjoyed working with Tony Blair more than I could have possibly imagined.

BUSH: Will I miss working with Tony Blair? You bet I will.

BLAIR: It will be the last chance I get to do this type of press conference in the Rose Garden, standing next to President Bush.

BUSH: You don’t understand how effective Blair is, I guess. Because when we’re in a room with world leaders and he speaks, people listen.

BLAIR: I totally agree with what the President was saying, we have the same position exactly.

BUSH: There’s a lot of blowhards in the political process, you know, a lot of hot-air artists, people who have got something fancy to say. Tony Blair is somebody who actually follows through with his convictions.

BLAIR: You’ve been unyielding, unflinching, and determined.

BUSH: Yeah! This guy is a very strong, respected leader. He’s absolutely the right guy for me to be dealing with.

BLAIR: And thank you also for the strength of your leadership over the past few years.

BUSH: It’s been a joy having you back here. I appreciate — every time I’m with you I appreciate very much the insight you provide.

BLAIR: And I would take the same position of alliance with America again, yes I would.

BUSH: What I know is the world needs courage. And what I know is this good man is a courageous man.

Thanks for coming.



76 Responses to “VIDEO MONTAGE: Bush and Blair’s Farewell Love Fest”

  1. Crump's Brother says:

  2. Republicans are the Fear and Smear Party says:

  3. Angry One says:

    “I think we missed Cheney.”
    Geoffrey Hoon, former British defense secretary under Tony Blair, on mistakes in pre-war planning, May 2, 2007.


  4. heyzeus says:

    I think I’m going to barf


  5. Peter says:

    I heard about Blair staying the night at the White House and I thought, “how nice, Junior had a friend over for sleepover”. Then I wondered whether Rove and Gannon had made it a full-scale slumber-party. Then I had to listen to loud music to get the awful images out of my head.


  6. UKBristolDave says:

    Ah yes, Blair sold out every principle of the Labour party.

    The current guess in the UK is that Blair will spend an awful lot of time in the US on the post dinner speaker circuit. Can I just say you are welcome to him.

    My tale of why he is a c*%$ will bore you but he betrayed the UK. We voted for change and got more of the same.


  7. Tom3 says:

    Those two should get a room.


  8. ForTruth says:

    I like it when Amanda covers “love fests”.


  9. CovalentBonder says:

    The only thing missing was some tongue action.

    /sarcasm. Sorry, all. Call it my gut reaction, because a gut reaction is *so* much more reliable that a well-thought-through plan. /sarcasm.

    Regards.


  10. IraqVet says:

    It would have taken ONE reporter to say after his montage…

    “As opposed to you?”

    THAT would have summed it all up!


  11. heyzeus says:

    Wonder if Tony got slipped the table scraps at dinner?

    “the poodle bites, the poodle chews it…”
    (Frank Zappa, RIP)


  12. null says:

    missed it. did Tony roll over and play dead……again?


  13. bernarda says:

    Tony B-liar has taken brown-nosing to a new unsuspected level.

    He will probably be used as an example in future encyclopedias.


  14. Tom3 says:

    Chimpy is a gay-bashing gay. IOKIYAR.


  15. squegeebooo says:

    Theres a much better video on CNN. It’s about a turtle chasing a cat.

    But why is this even TP worthy? Blair and Bush are nice to each other…. wow, huge news there.


  16. RUCerious says:

    Poodle grooming can be so much fun!



  17. Zooey says:

    That made me want to puke. Ugh!

    Is it just me, or did Blair look distinctly uncomfortable?


  18. hil says:

    and que the sudden nausea…

    ew.


  19. gummitch says:

    My tale of why he is a c*%$ will bore you but he betrayed the UK. We voted for change and got more of the same.

    Comment by UKBristolDave

    I was over in the UK for the first fortnight in April. Saw lots of hand-made “Blair OUT!” signs pretty much everywhere.

    Great beer, especially in the north (and Scotland).


  20. Tobey Tall says:

    Bush Admits to Destroying Blair’s Career

    ‘ Appearing at a joint press conference at the White House, Mr Bush was asked if he was responsible for the end of Mr Blair’s premiership.

    He said: “I could be” ‘

    http://www.juancole.com/


  21. Tobey Tall says:

    ‘ Appearing at a joint press conference at the White House, Mr Bush was asked if he was responsible for the end of Mr Blair’s premiership.

    He said: “I could be” ‘

    Bush later became angry that a reporter was, as he put it, “dancing on Blair’s political grave,” insisting that he would work with Blair until he stepped down. I.e. until mid June!

    Why he was so angry with the reporter for jumping the gun a few weeks when he had just admitted that he may well have been the one who sent Blair to his political grave is not clear.


  22. Ben Dover says:

    I wonder if Jeff Gannon is coming over for “entertainment” this evening?


  23. Tobey Tall says:

    He’s not welcome in the Uk …. so hes going to America hes your poodle you can have him……… we dont want him


  24. UKBristolDave says:

    Comment by gummitch — May 17, 2007 @ 3:59 pm

    The cider and the real ale in the south west is quality as well.


  25. UKBristolDave says:

    Comment by Zooey — May 17, 2007 @ 3:59 pm

    Blimey, is that the lovely Zooey?


  26. Republicans are the Fear and Smear Party says:

    Blair: “I’ve always had the hots for you, Georgie.”

    Bush: “I know, Tony, but I was just stringing you along.”


  27. George W. Bush says:

    Now I can burn the ‘pictures’ Tony.


  28. Dave says:

    When Blair said, “You’ve been unyielding, unflinching, and determined,” I guess he meant that as a compliment?


  29. multilee says:

    I wonder with Wolfie heading out the door if Shrub will put his man dog Blair’s name in the kittie for the World Bank slot???


  30. Tobey Tall says:

    wonder is Blair is going to live in Urban dwelling house or a Ranch like Bush , one thing for sure hes American now . Bye Tony


  31. CFM 56-3 says:

    Unyielding is not a trait I would consider a virtue in any person.

    Theres a much better video on CNN. It’s about a turtle chasing a cat.
    But why is this even TP worthy? Blair and Bush are nice to each other…. wow, huge news there. Comment by squegeebooo

    Turtle chasing a cat. I don’t find that very newsworthy. My dog runs from frogs. What I find humorous is the difference between MIC on and MIC off when Bush and Blair speak.


  32. TerrytheTurtle says:

    From ProjectforanOldAmericanCentury:

    [*]The Special Relationship

    The bombs go off
    The legs go off
    The heads go off

    The arms go off
    The feet go off
    The light goes out

    The heads go off
    The legs go off
    The lust is up

    The dead are dirt
    The lights go out
    The dead are dust

    A man bows down before another man
    And sucks his lust

    Harold Pinter
    August 2004


  33. Rebecca Williams says:

    I guess they will have to award each other the medal of freedom.


  34. Tobey Tall says:

    Bye Tony, welcome to the land of the terrorists


  35. Shane says:

    My tale of why he is a c*%$ will bore you but he betrayed the UK. We voted for change and got more of the same.

    Comment by UKBristolDave — May 17, 2007 @ 3:44 pm

    We feel your pain. But at least you have a happy ending.


  36. david says:

    Rumours are already flying in Britain that Tony may face charges of committing War Crimes the moment he steps down. And those rumours were coming from the Foreign Office.


  37. TerrytheTurtle says:

    It’s about a turtle chasing a cat.

    Dude’s looking for pussy…..I’m sure he’d appreciate the privacy though.


  38. Tobey Tall says:

    39/ david send a link please you made my day


  39. lw says:

    There will be a nice lucrative spot waiting for Mr Blair, possibly with the Carlyle Group to join his predecessor John Major.


  40. Shane says:

    But why is this even TP worthy? Blair and Bush are nice to each other…. wow, huge news there.

    Comment by squegeebooo

    Listen Squiggy, trolls don’t need to complain, they can just leave. It’s a win, win.


  41. Republicans are the Fear and Smear Party says:

    They both seem oblivious to the fact that 75% of the world hates them.


  42. Shane says:

    Is it just me, or did Blair look distinctly uncomfortable?

    Comment by Zooey — May 17, 2007 @ 3:59 pm

    I hope so. They both deserve to be uncomfortable for a very long time.


  43. saraswari says:

    Wow, Bush seemed VERY drunk.


  44. Bob says:

    We voted for change and got more of the same.

    Comment by UKBristolDave — May 17, 2007 @ 3:44 pm

    Hey, so did we!

    …Same old rat in a drain ditch, caught on a limb….

    …Nine mile skiddin’ on a ten mile ride……


  45. Tobey Tall says:

    http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/currentawareness/icc.php

    ICC prosecutor says Bush, Blair could face war crimes investigation
    March 19, 2007

    [JURIST] US President George Bush and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair [official profiles] may one day face war crimes charges before the International Criminal Court (ICC) [official website; JURIST news archive] at The Hague, according to ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo [official profile; BBC.... [more]


  46. Tobey Tall says:

    Good day for the trolls they just gained a poodle – come on trolls where are your nice comments about your new dog


  47. Tobey Tall says:

    Iraq’s ambassador to the United Nations, said the country is considering joining the ICC.


  48. Zooey says:

    Comment by UKBristolDave — May 17, 2007 @ 4:06 pm

    Hello, UKDave.


  49. UKBristolDave says:

    Comment by Zooey — May 17, 2007 @ 4:28 pm

    Hey Z, I hope life has been treating you well.


  50. Juan C says:

    UKBristolDave and Terry.

    Tevez did it. ;)

    About Liverpool-Milan… it has amazed me the way I am so uninterested. For real.


  51. UKBristolDave says:

    Comment by Juan C — May 17, 2007 @ 4:34 pm

    Not yet. Sheff Utd are raising a legal challenge over his signing. He may yet send West Ham down.


  52. RUCerious says:

    Anybody else notice that when the chymp went off his prepared pablum, he stammered and stuttered and seemed to have a difficult time framing his thoughts into words?? If one were to look at a transcript, the number of partially completed sentences outnumber the completed ones. Mental or drunk, or both?


  53. Janeane The Acerbic Goblin says:

    Bush does sound drunk.

    Blair does look uncomfortable.


  54. Janeane The Acerbic Goblin says:

    #52, I noticed that too.

    The MSM will downplay it by saying “that’s just Bush being Bush. Leave him alone! He’s our king!”.


  55. Some Guy says:

    they both looked so tired, so pained to have to be up there in front of people doing that (whatever that was…nailing Blair’s coffin shut? one last lie for the ages?).

    GW: “a lot of ‘blowhards’” — apparently he meant others, but everyone of course knows that to be a self-description.


  56. Zooey says:

    Hey Z, I hope life has been treating you well.
    Comment by UKBristolDave

    Very well, thank you. How are things with you?


  57. UKBristolDave says:

    Comment by Zooey — May 17, 2007 @ 4:49 pm

    Well, a little bit stressful but I bet you can put a smile on my face…


  58. UKBristolDave says:

    Comment by Zooey — May 17, 2007 @ 4:49 pm

    Hey Z, nice to catch you again but I’m weakened by the time difference.

    Hope to speak to you soon.


  59. Zooey says:

    Comment by UKBristolDave — May 17, 2007 @ 4:54 pm

    I’m looking at you cross-eyed. :D


  60. Zooey says:

    Comment by UKBristolDave — May 17, 2007 @ 5:06 pm

    The sooner the better. :)


  61. UKBristolDave says:

    Comment by Zooey — May 17, 2007 @ 5:07 pm

    :-p

    Goodnight Z. Dare I even do this…..x?

    Hope to speak to you soon.


  62. Zooey says:

    Comment by UKBristolDave — May 17, 2007 @ 5:11 pm

    Apparently you do dare. Heh.


  63. illogical says:

    I wonder if someone slipped those two some Ecstasy?

    Then again, a greased up Gannon and Rove could be in waiting.


  64. Juan C says:

    Sheff Utd are raising a legal challenge over his signing. He may yet send West Ham down.
    Comment by UKBristolDave

    Yeah, but Tevez did it.


  65. Even-Stephen says:

    Blair must be thinking, “I sold my soul to stand up here with this yokel? Please stop talking now, you hick. Please, somebody make him stop talking. Thank goodness it’s over. Oh goody, tea and crumpets!”


  66. jonny says:

    Two devil worshipers – brother in arms – Bush & Blair.

    New World Order Supporters


  67. Fools on the Hill says:

    Sounds like they could be bunk mates and share a prison cell at the Hague or GITMO.

    I always imagine Bush in an orange suit when he speaks his nonsense.


  68. TerrytheTurtle says:

    Amanda – Jeanna Moos has been reading your post….


  69. Eargy Earp says:

    Pretty sickening isn’t it.

    Imagine the audacity of Blair to claim that the whole reason they went to Iraq was for democracy.

    Yeah — reason number 4 after all the other BS fell through.

    What a pair of tweedles.


  70. Lee says:

    Ugh! Did they slip each other the tongue?!


  71. Jay Randal says:

    More than a love fest for the press. Bush, Blair, and Gannon had 3 way sex orgies together in the White House.


  72. Heynow says:

    That was some good ole ass-kissing. Hope they got a room. :)


  73. Eric says:

    It’s great to see the same two nations having the courage and foresight as they did in WWII. It’s funny to watch TP become the embodiement of Neville Chamberlain and 1940 isolationists. History books should be forced reading for you guys but you’re too busy with conspiracy theories. Sad lot.


  74. Liberal Dork says:

    I was beginning to think these were honorable men until I read all the comments about ass kissing, tongue swapping, bunk buddies etc…
    Thanks, for putting things into perspective for me you all… I think we gotta hug.


  75. ellen babitt says:

    What a miserable site here on the internet, and what a ridiculous ‘take’ on the American/UK relationship. You guys need to grow the hell up, take a History course or two, and recognize what is going on in the world today.
    Congrats to Tony Blair for understanding the lay of the land. Bush is hardly his stature, but at least he too can see the forest for the trees. Both of them will be better understood by historians than they are at present.
    The only thing sickening about this display, is that people still don’t get it. What do we need, yet another 9/11 to wake people up from their stupor once more? We are grossly underestimating the determination of the side that would see us dead and buried– and not just our leaders, but YOU, feckless english-speaking reader. YOU are who they want. And you’re who they’ll get, if you keep this up.



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