Murdoch set to back Blair - for a place in his boardroom

[IndianaGreen]

28 July 2006 23:37

Murdoch set to back Blair - for a place in his boardroom

By Andrew Grice, Political Editor
Published: 29 July 2006

The media magnate Rupert Murdoch is expected to offer Tony Blair a senior role in his News Corporation empire when he stands down as Prime Minister.

Allies of Mr Blair insist he has made no decisions about his plans when he leaves Downing Street -- almost certainly next year. But some friends say a seat on the board of News Corp could tempt the outgoing Prime Minister, as it would dovetail neatly with the lucrative United States lecture circuit. Mr Blair's popularity at home may be waning, but he remains big box office in America. His close relationship with Mr Murdoch will be highlighted tomorrow when he addresses the annual gathering of News Corp's executives and senior journalists from around the world.

After meeting President George Bush at the White House yesterday, Mr Blair flew on to California where, amid the stunning scenery at Pebble Beach, 130 miles south of San Francisco, he will speak about "leadership in the modern world".

The five-day event is entitled Imagining The Future, reflecting Mr Murdoch's recently-discovered interest in new media. Other star guests are expected to include Bill and Hillary Clinton; Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Terminator turned Governor of California; Bono, the U2 singer and campaigner for the developing world; Shimon Peres, the Israeli Vice Premier; and former US Vice-President Al Gore, who will show his film on climate change.

Mr Blair's appearance is seen as a mutual "thank you" as he enters the final phase of his premiership. Mr Murdoch admired Mr Blair's support for President Bush over the Iraq war, which his newspapers around the world endorsed.

http://news.independent.co.uk/media/article1202848.ece

[Whoa_Nelly]

1. ...and just WHERE is Blair "big box office" material in the US?

Beats the shit outta me! :shrug:

Anyone?

[w4rma]

2. He should take the job asap and leave his current one. (nt)

[T_i_B]

3. Blair risks 'poodle' jibes to join Murdoch's jamboree

Thought that I'd best post here to avoid duping.

http://politics.guardian.co.uk/labour/story/0,,1832815,00.html

On Sunday afternoon an executive jet will interrupt Tony Blair's five-day US visit to fly him from San Francisco on a short hop to the Monterey peninsula. Waiting for the prime minister will be 500 of Rupert Murdoch's News International executives, plus their partners and VIP guests, who are in conference at the luxurious Pebble Beach golf resort until Thursday.

Mr Blair will stay only two or three hours, give his address on a favourite theme, leadership in the modern world, take questions and probably attend a reception. In an audience of admirers of his unfashionable pro-Americanism he is certain to be well received. Mr Murdoch himself admires steadfastness in adversity. "Iraq means Rupert will never dump on Blair," explains a close Murdoch-watcher.

But Mr Blair knows from experience that he will pay for the applause: his enemies at home will see it as yet further proof of a "poodle" relationship with the Australian-turned-American media tycoon, scarcely less malign than the servility he supposedly gives President George Bush, whom he saw yesterday.

Media gossip, unconfirmed by insiders, claims that if Mr Blair had turned down the invitation, it would have gone to David Cameron, the kind of rising star News International prides itself on cultivating. Given Mr Murdoch's known coolness towards the Tory leader (he thinks "not much" of him, he told CBS TV last week), that seems unlikely. Gordon Brown would be a better bet. "I like Brown very much on a personal level," he said on CBS.

[saigon68]

4. Yes Indeed--- He loves the "Singing Cowboy"

[Sadie5]

5. Bush could sell him the ranch

then Mr. popularity could have a permanent US home. I hope he doesn't plan to charge admission for any of his 'popular' speaking events.

[IndianaGreen]

6. Blair could become a Texan

and stop this pretense that he cares one iota about the people of Britain.

Blair the Poodle becomes Blair the Freeper.