[AChimp]

Well, there's no way that they could switch roles now, but it should have been that way from the beginning.

As GA pointed out, Blair has a style and charisma that people like and respect, despite not necessarily agreeing with him. He also appeals everyone because he talks about "making the world a better place" for everyone, not just "making sure Americans everywhere are safe."

Really, that's probably the biggest problem that the vast majority of the countries around the world are having with the U.S.'s war right now. Sure, Bush has said "it'll be good for all of us afterwards," but it seems like his speechwriters tapped him on the shoulder and reminded him to say that as an afterthought, whereas Blair has been preaching it from the beginning.

I mean, here in Canada, everyone is thinking, "Great. The U.S. will be protected, but our army sucks, so what about us?" I'm sure the sentiments are the exact same in Europe and elsewhere.

Shooting your mouth off at the UN and basically saying that you don't need anyone's permission to fight someone doesn't earn you points either. The U.S. turned down Canada's proposed compromise deal without a single glance, whereas the British actually supported it.

Blair is a much better statesman. He knows how to get allies on his side and addresses their concerns rather than brushing them aside. Bush just thinks everyone will follow because of how often he's told them that he's right.