The American Mind

British Prime Minister Tony Blair announced he would be stepping down 06.27. For a politician he was quite candid in assessing his time leading the United Kingdom:

In an emotional 17-minute speech, he said the judgment on his 10-year administration was “for you, the people, to make”. Mr Blair paid special tribute to his wife and children “who never let me forget my failings”.

But he concluded: “Hand on heart, I did what I thought was right. I may have been wrong - that’s your call. But I did what I thought was right for our country.
“This country is a blessed country. The British are special. The world knows it, we know it, this is the greatest country on earth.”

He dealt directly with Iraq, many people’s perception as his ultimate legacy, saying: “The blowback since … has been fierce, unrelenting and costly.”

But he insisted: “The terrorists will never give up if we give up.”

Mr Blair admitted that in May 1997, when Labour took over after 18 years of Tory rule, “expectations were too high.”

But he added: “I would not want it any other way. I was, and remain, an optimist.”

Pointing to Africa, climate change and globalisation, he declared Britain had changed under his 10-year leadership, saying: “Britain is not a follower, Britain is a leader.”

He made no reference as to whether he would stay on as backbench MP for Sedgefield.

Mr Blair acknowledged he had been accused of “messianic zeal”, but said as prime minister, over issues such as Sierra Leone, Kosovo and then Afghanistan and Iraq, you were “alone with your instinct”.

Blair will be spending the last weeks of his time in leadership traveling the world. A farewell tour if you will:

But for much of his remaining six weeks in power Mr Blair will be absent from Downing Street, with at least five overseas trips planned for later this month and June. What aides are calling his farewell tour will begin tomorrow with a trip to Paris to see Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president-elect.

As he goes to the French capital Gordon Brown will be launching his campaign to succeed Mr Blair and will receive the long-expected formal endorsement from the outgoing leader.

Next week Mr Blair is likely to visit Washington for the last time as Prime Minister to see President Bush, the other half of the partnership that many Labour MPs and activists blame for bringing an earlier than necessary end to Mr Blair’s career because of the unpopularity of the war with Iraq.

Later this month Mr Blair heads to Africa for a trip lasting several days as he underlines his commitment to a continent that has been one of his leading priorities. He will go to South Africa and several other African nations.

Rich Moran describes the Blair-Bush relationship as “one of the unique personal relationships of our times.” Bush was “emotional” and “blunt,” while Blair was “eloquent” and “sophisticated.”

Allahpundit is depressed writing, “With Blair goes the most resonant voice among world leaders for democratizing the Middle East and waging a robust war on terror.”

Let’s give Gordon Brown, Blair’s presumptive replacement, a chance. While Angela Merkel has been quiet even though she’s more pro-American than her predecessor we may be surprised with Nicolas Sarkozy. But Blair’s departure means there’s a vacuum. Unless another Islamist terrorist attack stimulates seriousness President Bush has to fill that void.

For a Tory view Iain Dale [via Michelle Malkin] gives it the touch of death:

It was actually very American in tone - very emotional. Very unbritish, if you like. His final line amounted to a mea culpa. Indeed, he apologised for the things he got wrong. There’s a first.

That tone is one reason Blair is so popular in the States.

“Blair to Stand Down on June 27″