Last week, it was "Steve" and "W." But Friday and, for the first time, Prime Minister Stephen Harper meets British Prime Minister Tony Blair, his political idol. And according to a senior aide, Mr. Harper can hardly wait.
Everyone, the senior Harper aide said, believes that Mr. Harper emulates the rhetoric of U.S. President George W. Bush, whom he met last week in Washington.
Not so, said the aide. Rather, Mr. Harper tries to emulate the style of Mr. Blair. It can be noticed in his blunt and to-the-point speaking style, much like Mr. Blair's, or the clipped, short sentences in his speeches, and the raising and knocking down of a straw man as a way of illustrating a point.
Mr. Harper also likes the fact that Mr. Blair took the fractured Labour Party, put it together and made it work. Mr. Blair has won three consecutive elections.
The two men also agree on same-sex marriage. Both are approving of civil unions but want to preserve the traditional definition of marriage.
The highlight of Mr. Harper's first visit to Europe as Prime Minister is to meet Mr. Blair, the aide said.
Mr. Harper and his senior aides are very much students of other politicians and the way they handle elections or issues. They studied some of the tactics of Australian Prime Minister John Howard in framing their election campaign.
Mr. Harper and his wife, Laureen, who is accompanying him on this trip, are also excited about visiting Buckingham Palace and meeting the Queen later today.
Talk about meeting a dead horse. Harper tries to emulate Blair? ha ha
Link
I wonder if "W" will be jealous that Harper is so promiscuous? ha ha