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Blair's Embarrassment

British papers are upset with the way Prime Minister Tony Blair came off in yesterday’s incident in St. Petersburg, when he and President Bush had a casual conversation that got picked up by a microphone they hadn’t realized was on.

But they weren't upset with the same colorful colloquialism that the US press picked up on.

While Americans have focused on Bush’s bar room strategery of “what they need to do is to get Syria to get Hizbollah to stop doing this shit and it’s over,” the British press is more upset by Mr Bush hailing the Prime Minister as "Yo, Blair."

The Daily Mirror likened Mr Blair to a trusted counselor of Mr Bush… or perhaps his poodle.

Will Mr Blair have to make a show of opposing Mr Bush in some way, in order to prove that he is his own man? I think he’s too smart to fall for that – the papers would mock that anyway, so what’s the point? This whole thing wouldn’t be that big a deal… except of course now it is being run in every nation on Earth (example: Islam OnLine). Still, no need to worry. International politics would never be about saving face.

A transcript of their (gasp) uncensored gossip is here if you like. It's sweet like honey!