America--and Big Cash--beckon Blair

Move over, David Beckham: Another Brit is heading our way to cash in, just like the soccer star did. Retiring British Prime Minister Tony Blair plans to hit the lecture tour in the United States before or after he sets up a foundation to fund humanitarian work in Africa. He should do well: Yanks love him.

"He's probably more popular in the U.S., and there's more money there, too," says Peter Riddell, a Blair biographer. It's a path that Blair's buddy, former President Bill Clinton, blazed overseas. Blair is also considering a Bubba-like memoir.

And we hear that if the embattled World Bank boss leaves, both could become candidates for the job.


By Paul Bedard