Outgoing Blair Gets Praise And Criticism

(CBS/AP)  British Prime Minister Tony Blair, a major player on the world stage for a decade, won widespread praise Thursday for defending Kosovo, fighting global warming and overseeing peace in Northern Ireland — but criticism for championing the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

Blair announced Thursday he will resign June 27 as prime minister and leader of Britain's Labour Party.

President Bush was effusive about Blair, a crucial ally in the Iraq war, calling him a man who kept his word: "When Tony Blair tells you something, as we say in Texas, you can take it to the bank."

Bush also had kind words for Blair's anticipated replacement, Treasury chief Gordon Brown, saying he "found him to be an easy-to-talk-to, good thinker."

CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer said the trans-Atlantic relationship won't likely change much with Blair's departure.

"Nations do not necessarily have friends, they have interests. Tony Blair did what he thought was in Great Britain's interest," said Schieffer. "They will always be our closest ally, no matter who the prime minister there is or who the president of the United States is."

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton said: "Blair revitalized his party, modernized his country's economy and its approach to social problems, took the lead on global issues from climate change to debt relief to doubling aid to Africa, to the quest for peace in Northern Ireland and Kosovo, and started the global Third Way political movement."

"I am glad he was there and grateful for our friendship," Clinton said in a statement.

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Watch Blair's Announcement

Sheila MacVicar Reports

Audio: Listen To Blair's Speech

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"Tony Blair has taken Britain from the fringes to the mainstream of the European Union," the president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, said. Blair "leaves an impressive legacy including his commitment to enlargement, energy policy, his promotion of action against climate change, and for fighting poverty in Africa."

The local party faithful may still adore him, but the truth is much of Britain has fallen out of love with its prime minister, reports CBS News foreign correspondent Elizabeth Palmer.

His career was blighted, says Matthew Parris, by one key blunder.

"Iraq, Iraq, Iraq," Parris, a writer for The Times, told Palmer. "It must haunt him through his dreams now, and it will for the rest of his life."

And CBS News Foreign Affairs Analyst Pamela Falk notes, "Although the Anglo-American relationship will remain strong, Blair's likely successor, Gordon Brown, has strong ties with Democratic Party leaders in the U.S. and his foreign policy is likely to diverge from U.S. policy, particularly in Iraq, and particularly because of the criticism within the U.K. of the war."

On Friday, Blair's office said he had formally endorsed Brown to be prime minister.

"I'm absolutely delighted to give my full support to Gordon as the next leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister and to endorse him fully," Blair said.

Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt called Blair a "jovial, easygoing person" and a "fantastic speaker."

Staying in office for 10 years was a major accomplishment, Reinfeldt said. "And to do it in a country with the British press is an accomplishment in its own right," he said.

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[Mohammad Ilyas]

Mr.Blair could not bear the burden of friendship of Mr.Bush however he was an honourable man who stoodby with him upto the last. He resigned but but did not deny.

[brit-ifidel]

Tony Blair has been a good prime minister for the Uk
My life in the Uk has seen great improvements over the past 10 years.
We have shaken off the loser mentality that existed in our country and have become a little more dynamic.
Some say otherwise but I think they are the sort of people who take great comfort in blaming him for their own failings and disappointments in life.

I think Blair was trying too hard to be a good friend to the US and took his eye off the ball regarding Iraq.

Iraq was obviously a tactical & misguided mistake for Blair. We should have just focused on the Afganastan and kept world opinion on our side.

Well I guess we will only know for sure in years to come whether Tony was really mistaken or not.

[brit-ifidel]

Tony Blair has been a good prime minister for the Uk
My life in the Uk has seen great improvements over the past 10 years.
We have shaken off the loser mentality that existed in our country and have become a little more dynamic.
Some say otherwise but I think they are the sort of people who take great comfort in blaming him for their own failings and disappointments in life.

I think Blair was trying too hard to be a good friend to the US and took his eye off the ball regarding Iraq.

Iraq was obviously a tactical & misguided mistake for Blair. We should have just focused on the Afganastan and kept world opinion on our side.

Well I guess we will only know for sure in years to come whether Tony was really mistaken or not.

[drinuk]

Jeeez! What a load of utter C R A P! The man is a two faced liar, responsible for Genocide. A Wolf in Sheeps clothing if ever there was one. Get this straight, the man is not leaving graciously, he is being Kicked Out, Told to Leave, prior to several very damaging enquires.
He has done MY nation untold damage, opened the doors to every scrounger and criminal from Eastern Europe and countries like Somalia. Taxed the British people out of exsistence and totally wasted that money. He has spent the last Ten Years enjoying a giant Ego Trip, he is a control freak no different to those he once worshiped who once led Eastern Europe. He is a Back Door Commie.

[andrew_693]

thank you for staying in iraq? wow I guess this moron didn't read the news for about a month let me update you.....they are leaving!!!! update your newspaper!!! they are already leaving Irak. By December there won't be a single brit in irak you are on your own!! some allied that was. The most unpopular leader in history of the UK probably.

[randalds]

Thank you Prime Minister Blair for sticking to what you believe, despite the critics during this time of war. You are to be commended for a JOB WELL DONE.

To bad some of our other wimpy spineless cowardly world leaders don't follow your example.
Posted by gfox67 at 09:23 PM : May 10, 2007

Tell it to the families of innocent civilians he and Bush murdered. He should leave office and right into prison along with his master, George W. Bush. Gordon Brown had better have bigger balls and stand up to Bush. GB doesn't need a new poodle.

[randalds]

Thank you Prime Minister Blair for sticking to what you believe, despite the critics during this time of war. You are to be commended for a JOB WELL DONE.

To bad some of our other wimpy spineless cowardly world leaders don't follow your example.
Posted by gfox67 at 09:23 PM : May 10, 2007

Tell it to the families of innocent civilians he and Bush murdered.

[michellem99-2009]

As an American,I wish him the best as he leaves office. I feel Bush needs to step down and head back home. Mr. Blair did what was best for the UK.He earned the honours his nation gave him. Now we need to impreach Bush. Got out of the middle east where we don't belong. I hate bullies.

[hungry1968]

To bad some of our other wimpy spineless cowardly world leaders don't follow your example.
Posted by gfox67 at 09:23 PM : May 10, 2007

Are you referring to President Bush following his example to quit? I wish he would...

[nearl4511]

SOmething wrong with this website?