skunk
Oct 31, 2004, 12:07 PM
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/story.jsp?story=577867
Revealed: Blair's secret mission to woo Kerry
By Andrew Buncombe in Washington and Francis Elliott
31 October 2004
Tony Blair has sent one of his closest advisers on a secret peace mission to mend relations with John Kerry, the United States presidential challenger, The Independent on Sunday can reveal.
News of the confidential meeting comes as the campaign enters its final 48 hours, with the candidates running neck and neck. Mr Blair is concerned that he will appear isolated if George Bush loses in Tuesday's poll, because of his support for the Iraq war.
The Prime Minister authorised Philip Gould, his polling guru, to seek a meeting with Mary Beth Cahill, Mr Kerry's campaign manager. Lord Gould, a co-founder of New Labour, is one of Mr Blair's closest confidants who keeps him in constantly in touch with floating voters.
Ms Cahill is tipped to be chief of staff in a Kerry administration. The meeting, which took place 10 days ago in Washington, is being seen by aides to the Kerry campaign as an olive branch by Mr Blair.
There has been considerable anger in the Democrat camp at the lack of support from the Prime Minister. Lord Gould, who helped Bill Clinton win his 1992 election, has until now been conspicuous by his absence from the Democrat campaign.
A source close to Mr Blair said that it was "valid" to report Mr Gould's visit but stressed that he is not employed by the Government.
Further apparent evidence of some distance opening up between the Bush and Blair camps has come with reports that the Prime Minister's wife criticised Washington's policies on terrorist prisoners and gay rights. In a speech in Harvard, she praised the Supreme Court's decision to give legal protection to Britons detained at Guantanamo Bay, and condemned the arrest of a gay couple in Texas.
I see TB is getting his nose ready to lick some Democratic arse...
Revealed: Blair's secret mission to woo Kerry
By Andrew Buncombe in Washington and Francis Elliott
31 October 2004
Tony Blair has sent one of his closest advisers on a secret peace mission to mend relations with John Kerry, the United States presidential challenger, The Independent on Sunday can reveal.
News of the confidential meeting comes as the campaign enters its final 48 hours, with the candidates running neck and neck. Mr Blair is concerned that he will appear isolated if George Bush loses in Tuesday's poll, because of his support for the Iraq war.
The Prime Minister authorised Philip Gould, his polling guru, to seek a meeting with Mary Beth Cahill, Mr Kerry's campaign manager. Lord Gould, a co-founder of New Labour, is one of Mr Blair's closest confidants who keeps him in constantly in touch with floating voters.
Ms Cahill is tipped to be chief of staff in a Kerry administration. The meeting, which took place 10 days ago in Washington, is being seen by aides to the Kerry campaign as an olive branch by Mr Blair.
There has been considerable anger in the Democrat camp at the lack of support from the Prime Minister. Lord Gould, who helped Bill Clinton win his 1992 election, has until now been conspicuous by his absence from the Democrat campaign.
A source close to Mr Blair said that it was "valid" to report Mr Gould's visit but stressed that he is not employed by the Government.
Further apparent evidence of some distance opening up between the Bush and Blair camps has come with reports that the Prime Minister's wife criticised Washington's policies on terrorist prisoners and gay rights. In a speech in Harvard, she praised the Supreme Court's decision to give legal protection to Britons detained at Guantanamo Bay, and condemned the arrest of a gay couple in Texas.
I see TB is getting his nose ready to lick some Democratic arse...
