Guardian: Blairite to Threaten Bush with Economic Warfare, Aid to US Dems

[BurtWorm]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1086792,00.html


Blair ally in poll threat to Bush

Nicholas Watt and Duncan Campbell
Monday November 17, 2003
The Guardian

George Bush will be served notice today that the deep hostility towards him in Britain has reached the Blair inner circle, when the former minister Stephen Byers launches a bid to destabilise the president's re-election campaign next year.

On the eve of Mr Bush's state visit to Britain, Mr Byers, an arch-Blairite, will set out proposals to help Democrats in key swing states if the White House refuses to abandon punitive trade sanctions against the UK.

Acting with the tacit approval of Blair supporters, who were enraged when Mr Bush imposed tariffs on imports of British steel to shore up his vote, the former trade and industry secretary will call for sanctions to be imposed on four key marginal states which the president will need to win.

The states - and the exports to be targeted - are:

· Florida and its citrus products. The state was the scene of the "hanging chad" saga in the 2000 presidential election, after Mr Bush and Al Gore virtually tied there;
· Wisconsin and its apples and paper. Mr Gore won this state by a tiny margin;
· Tennessee and its chemicals. Mr Bush scored a narrow victory in Mr Gore's home state;
· Iowa and its agricultural equipment. This state will play a key role when the nominations battle starts in January.

[Code_Name_D]

1. And the real war begins in ernist.

You thougt pur boys dying for oil was painful. Just wait and see what the cost of OJ will take from your wallet.

[Pale_Rider]

3. Now Rep. Katherine Harris ...

... will be REALLY MAD! Ohhhh ....

[Maple]

2. Bush punished Blair

in the middle of a war Blair supported him on!

Bush isn't going to give a rat's patoot about Byers.

[BurtWorm]

4. Bush doesn't give a rat's patoot about anyone.

But Rove might be a little nervous. It's not just Britain that will be banning these items. All of the EU will.