The Special Relationship

Gordon Brown's ascension to the premiership of the United Kingdom wasn't just the end of the Tony Blair era -- it was a notable downturn in the "special relationship" between the U.S. and U.K.

Britons are understandably eager to separate themselves from the U.S. in general and George W. Bush in particular. The war in Iraq is even less popular in the U.K. than it is here, and the Blair government was unfairly seen as subservient to the U.S. Tony Blair's popularity in the U.S. wasn't just because he supported us in Iraq -- it was due to his own charisma and character, not to mention his effectiveness in international dialogue. Tony Blair smoothed over Bush's corn-pone attitude and intellectual shallowness. Even though Bush was over his head at G-4 summits and other key gatherings, Blair was like the wise college senior showing the energetic freshman the ropes.

The special relationship between our nations was then largely maintained by the special relationship between Bush and Blair, forged in the aftermath of 9/11. It was Blair alone that made the "coalition" of forces in Iraq more than a political label and transformed the war and occupation into something other than a unilateral U.S. policy decision.

With Gordon Brown in and Blair out, the bond between our nations has weakened, one hopes not critically. One suspects that British leaders will cast a doubtful eye on future joint foreign policy adventures. Our next president will have some serious fence-mending to do.

A significant number of ordinary Americans care deeply about the U.K. and hate to see the special relationship on the rocks. We know who our friends are. And we want to elect a president that makes a state visit to the U.K. with one simple message: "how can we help you?"