Blair’s Mandate
Why is it that when Tony Blair is re-elected with roughly 55% of the seats in parliament, the news reports his slim victory; versus Bush’s mandate with just 51% of the vote? The BBC reports Blair speaking humbly about governing during his third term:
The British people wanted to return a Labour government but with a reduced majority… We have got to listen to the people and respond wisely and sensibly.
Who knew that politicians could have that kind of humility, even if they’re faking it? The Washington Post also makes it sound like Blair took some beating, which I’m not denying. It’s just amazing to me the different spin here. I couldn’t believe that after three miserable debates, Bush was re-elected and the news reported the next day that Bush was practically chosen by God. Blair wins by have more seats in parliament (okay, not the same as a popular vote, but we’ve got to start somewhere) and the news leads one to believe that he’s been castrated.
