He could face a devastating defeat in parliament today over a very sensible reform on tuition fees for universities. Then tomorrow he faces the Hutton Report, which will lay out blame for the suicide of weapons scientist David Kelly. British prime ministers tend to disappear quickly. The odds are still that Blair will survive. But he is a deeply battered and frayed leader. This could be the biggest story of the week. As Matt would say, incoming …
CHENEY IN TROUBLE? The NYT picks up on his growing unfavorable ratings in the polls. Much of it is based on the shrill and often absurd attacks from the left on Halliburton. But some of it is self-inflicted. His adamant refusal even to contemplate that he didn’t misjudge the intelligence before the Iraq war is not a sign of intellectual confidence; it’s a measure of intellectual insecurity. The same can be said of his utter insouciance about endless deficit spending. His elusiveness has also lost its charm. He seems almost hostile to the general public – giving speeches to secluded or privileged groups or simply to fundraisers. None of this helps his public image. He’s right to get out more. But kicking off this campaign abroad is another indication that his staff have no sure political touch. The man needs to be out in America – in factories and military bases and schools. He has been acting like a cross between George Smiley and Louis XIV. Maybe he’s beginning to realize this is a democracy he’s vice-president of. And the people don’t have to re-elect him. If that’s the case: about time. He has a sharp mind, good instincts and great personal affect. So why hide away?
The Dish 