Interesting article over at CNN.com (really it’s a NYT column) comparing the Bush style to the Blair style of governance. The article stands on its own, and it’s interesting so I’ll let you read that. Short version of the article is that Bush doesn’t allow for any dissenting opinions. His way is the right way. Blair, on the other hand, acknowledges the complexity of situations and discusses issues with people with alternative options. For example:
Mr. Blair stands with Mr. Bush on Iraq but acknowledges the complexity of the issues.
“Yes, there are countries that disagree with what we are doing; I mean, there’s no point in hiding it — there’s been a division,” Mr. Blair told reporters at Camp David early in the war, when the two leaders were asked about opposition to the war among allies. But Mr. Bush gave no ground, saying: “We’ve got a huge coalition. . . . I’m very pleased with the size of our coalition.”
Mr. Blair met Pope John Paul II and the archbishop of Canterbury to discuss their opposition to the war. But President Bush refused to discuss objections to the war with the head of the National Council of Churches or even the head of his own church, the United Methodists.
While the column makes the point that Bush is often over-certain in his decision making, I believe that this is not unique to Bush. American politics is about certainty: right vs. wrong, good vs. bad. Everything needs to get boiled down to two sides. You are either for something or against. From abortion to gay rights to the war in Iraq, our politics tend to boil down into right and wrong. Even more disappointing is our parties don’t generally debate anything in public. I wonder if Americans just don’t see the value in discussing or debating anything.
As a result, the Bush/Blair differences only makes obvious clear differences between the British system of government and our own. I saw something on CSPAN and saw something I thought was remarkable. Tony Blair was sitting in front of select members of Parliament and answering some very difficult questions about various policy issues. These weren’t softball questions, set up and prepackaged. Some of these were quite difficult. I’m sure that most people who follow any sort of politics have seen Question Time from the Parliament. This was basically that, but with a smaller group and longer, less pithy answers from the PM. You can find the program information here on C-Span.org.
