In 2009, the European Union will be electing a President for the first time after it's ratified it's constitution, which is expected sometime this year. At that point, the Presidency of the EU becomes much more important than the sort of figurehead position that it is now. The new President will be a much more meaningful title, for one who can shape agenda and policies on critical issues like trade and defense.
Our good friend Tony Blair has been mentioned as a serious contender for that spot. This may have even been at least part of the impetus behind his retirement as British PM. For his part, he is officially "interested" but not committed yet to running.
Let's hope that he commits and wins! (Although I really don't know how that process works).
The U.S. needs more strength and fire than what we have been getting from the EU, especially with NATO, Islamofascists and the resurrection of Russian bullying in eastern Europe. Some of the other names in contention for this position are from Italy and Luxembourg, and appear to be the typical weak-kneed, liberal, euro-punks that have done little to make the world safer.
Of course, Tony Blair has many detractors within the EU. Although England has borne much more than it's fair share of expenses to support the EU, it (and Blair) have taken a lot of heat regarding the slow, methodical British approach to implementing it's changes. And then of course, it's support of U.S. policies, in which the typical euro-whining exposes their real issue with Tony Blair.
With our leadership about to be weakened in November as far as it's commitment to the War on Terror, it would help the cause for freedom to have a stronger, more decisive EU to help offset. I want Tony! We need him. Now how the heck can I cast my vote?!!
2 comments:
Tony Blair has been a good friend to the US, in spite of being cast as a friend of billy clinton.
I wish him well in his future endeavors.
I noted that he has just been received into the Roman Catholic Church, transitioning across from the Anglican persuasion.
Regarding the EU, I suggest that it is by no means a guaranteed friend of the US. The French see it as a way to counter US policies, at least they used to.
Europe is very likely not what it was. Well, none of us are, but socialism, pacifism, secularism, defeatism, etc., etc., are all rearing their ugly heads.
And frankly, I hate to see the UK drawn into the continental...quagmire.
Perhaps that is too strong a word.
I fear that intimacy with the Continent is not necessarily in the best intersts of the UK.
I think Tony is looking toward the Continent.
"intersts" should read:
interests .
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