Reply #17: If it weren't for Iraq, I would like Blair. Other than that one issue, he

[peacebaby3]

is quite liberal. I've always sworn that * had something on him or made some threats. I remember about a year ago reading something about some very severe pressure/threats made from the US before the war. I want to say it had to do with oil and tariffs (could it have been steel related somehow? Maybe not.) but it would have been pretty devastating to the UK economy from what I remember. I also think I remember that it happened during closed door meetings between US and UK officials and it sort of was - either you support us or we cut all this off and make this a living hell for you. I wish I could remember more details and where I read it. Does anyone else remember this? It was not well publicized, but I remember that I thought the source seemed legit and not particularly liberal.

This doesn't make me forgive Blair for his decision to support * and his war, but I also know that he is very good on a lot of other issues. If I were British, I would not have been able to vote for him though because I feel too strongly about the war.