The broadcast network evening newscasts, reflecting the focus of the media's approach to British Prime Minister Tony Blair's announcement that he will step down on June 27, framed their reviews of his ten-year tenure around the unpopularity of his decision to join the U.S. in the Iraq war. On CBS, however, Elizabeth Palmer uniquely found time to recall how Blair won in 1997 by “dragging Britain's old left-wing Labour Party to the political center” and she cited a couple of other achievements. Nonetheless, like ABC and NBC, CBS included the obligatory citation of how the British press derided Blair as “Bush's poodle,” a derogatory characterization also highlighted on Thursday's morning shows.
NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams saw great meaning in Blair's decision as he cited Blair's resignation as one of the “concussions from the war in Iraq” which reflected “the political cost of an unpopular war,” asserting: “There are combat casualties of the war in Iraq, there are civilian casualties. Today we saw a political casualty, Tony Blair stepping down.” NBC's Keith Miller observed that “Tony Blair was perhaps the best Prime Minister America never had. But at home, the press labeled him 'Bush's poodle' and his approval rating plunged.” From London, ABC's David Wright declared: “People here ridiculed him as 'Bush's poodle.' The Iraq war has been albatross for Blair, dragging down his approval ratings and drowning his hopes for a positive legacy.” CBS anchor Katie Couric announced that “Blair's role as the President's ally ended up costing him dearly.”
Partial transcripts of the May 10 evening newscast coverage of Blair:
NBC Nightly News. Anchor Brian Williams led by framing the day's news:
“Today it was possible to feel the concussions from the war in Iraq on both sides of the Atlantic. In this country, President Bush, for the first time, said he is willing to give the Democrats some of what they want. And across the Atlantic in the United Kingdom today, the man who has supported George Bush more steadfastly than any other ally, Tony Blair, today announced he is through as British Prime Minister. Today was about the political cost of an unpopular war as our own Tim Russert first reported on this broadcast last night, the President now has real trouble in his own party. And with the damage now piling up, now the talk begins about a possible Plan B for Iraq. We have reports here tonight from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington and 10 Downing Street London...”
Introducing the Blair story, Williams contended:
Keith Miller's report from London included this:
“Popular in the United States, Tony Blair was perhaps the best Prime Minister America never had. But at home, the press labeled him 'Bush's poodle' and his approval rating plunged.”
Lord Douglas Hurd, former Foreign Minister: “He misled us into a wrong and foolish war and that's what a lot of people, certainly myself, will remember as the main feature of his premiership.”
ABC's World News. Anchor Charles Gibson:
“In London today, a major announcement. Tony Blair has said that he will step down as Britain's Prime Minister on June 27th. He has been the President's staunchest ally for the war in Iraq. But that has cost him much of his popularity.”
David Wright reported from London:
“Not since Margaret Thatcher has America had such a good friend in Downing Street. But Thatcher was always seen as the Iron Lady, very much her own woman. Blair was the junior partner. People here ridiculed him as 'Bush's poodle.' The Iraq war has been albatross for Blair, dragging down his approval ratings and drowning his hopes for a positive legacy.”
CBS Evening News. Katie Couric set up the story:
“President Bush is losing his best friend on the world stage. Tony Blair announced he is stepping down as British Prime Minister effective next month. The President called him a 'remarkable person.' But Blair's role as the President's ally ended up costing him dearly.”
Elizabeth Palmer relayed the most information beyond the topic of Iraq:
“...His career was blighted, says Matthew Parris, by one key blunder:”
Matthew Parris, The Times: “Iraq, Iraq, Iraq. It must haunt him through his dreams now and it will for the rest of his life.”
“In spite of huge anti-war demonstrations at home, Blair volunteered British troops as America's main ally in Iraq. It earned him a standing ovation in Washington....But a new nickname at home: 'Bush's poodle.' And it probably cost him his job. But today, Tony Blair tried one more time to justify himself....”
