voiceofreason <>

Right now, Tony Blair may the only man alive who could beat Bush next
year. Alas, under the Constitution, the Dems will never be able to
draft him.

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From http://www.drudgereport.com/flash2.htm


BLAIR WINS BACKING OF OLD FRIEND CLINTON
Fri Jul 11 2003 20:53:48 ET

Prime Minister Tony Blair received the impassioned support of his
close friend Bill Clinton in his battle to redefine left-wing
politics.

The ex-US President echoed Mr Blair's warnings that unless politicians
of the left embraced change they would face losing power to the
resurgent right.

Speaking last night at a lavish dinner in the City of London's
Guildhall at the opening of a conference on the future of centre-left
politics, Mr Clinton thanked the Prime Minister for proving that the
"third way" could be a success.

"I'm grateful to you sir for continuing to prove every day that
economic prosperity and social progress go hand in hand," Mr Clinton
said.

But he warned of the twin dangers of a reinvigorated "pro-change
conservatism" that had seen recent electoral successes in the US and
parts of Europe, and critics from within the ranks of left-wing
supporters.

"Since we have proved that the third way works everywhere it's been
given a fair chance, why are we under attack from the left in our own
countries," he said.

The Prime Minister has had to take on his own backbenchers in the
House of Commons in recent months over controversial plans for
foundation hospitals, the Iraq war, and faces further rebellions over
university tuition fees in the future.

Mr Clinton urged the critics of the Prime Minister's reforms to act as
the "conscience" of centre-left governments.

"I say to you there's a fourth way out there. It's not a do nothing
conservatism, it's an aggressive pro-change conservatism.

"It survives on enemies and attack and triumphs our evidence and
argument.

"It's first value is power and they are better at getting it and
keeping it than most of us," he said.

"If we want to prevail we will have to learn how to make our case
better.

"We're living in a new world in which we will be swallowed whole if we
do not and all the evidence of the good we have done will be lost if
we give in to inter-party squabbles on the left and lay down in the
face of attacks on the right," he said.

"We can never rest on our laurels."

Guests included the Prime Minister's wife Cherie, Helen Clark, Prime
Minister of New Zealand and a host of ministers and thinkers from
left-wing politics around the world.

Diners enjoyed poached haddock followed by fillet of lamb with sage
and red onion crust. For dessert they were served an ensemble of
exotic fruits.

The meal was served with bottles of Chateau Tour St Bonnet 1996.

Developing...

bill bonde

The 'third way' is really just grab the other side's ideas so they can't
be used against you.