Bush:"He has led the British people for a long time, since 1797." Blair: "It just feels that way"

[dajoki]

Once More Around the Dance Floor
Bush and Blair have been quite a team over the years. But their last joint appearance in Washington was a reminder that the president got more out of their union than the prime minister did.

By Richard Wolffe and Holly Bailey
Newsweek
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18739102/site/newsweek/
Updated: 11:52 a.m. ET May 18, 2007

May 18, 2007 - They took to the stage like an old vaudeville act on their farewell tour. There was the straight guy who used words like "climate change," "sectarianism" and "poverty." Standing next to him was his joke-cracking partner who used words like "blowhards" and "hot-air artists." The George and Tony show has had its ups and downs (well, OK, mostly downs of late). But the graying duo could still tap the old magic, showing off their comedic timing, ducking-and-dodging talents, and genuine mutual admiration for the cameras.

First came the age jokes. President Bush welcomed Prime Minister Tony Blair back to the White House for one last visit before Blair leaves office this summer by saying he'd been a good friend. "He has led the British people for a long time," the president deadpanned. "Since 1797."

"It just feels that way," Blair said under his breath.

Bush's scripted joke was a reference to his flub in front of Queen Elizabeth last week. (He suggested that the Queen had helped celebrate America's bicentennial in 1776.) But the gag didn't really work. The British media showed up to bury Blair, not praise him. Adam Boulton of Sky News asked why Blair wasn't quitting earlier, since his finance minister, Gordon Brown, had been confirmed as his successor. "That's a lovely question," President Bush quipped.

Bush gave a lovely answer to Boulton's follow-up question about whether the president was responsible for Blair's demise. "I haven't polled the Labour conference," Bush said as he shrugged his shoulders, "but could be."