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Blair: America Ready for Woman President
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ShareOctober 23, 2007 1:09 PM
ABC News' Ed O'Keefe Reports: Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair says the United States is ready for a female president but resisted endorsing any of the sixteen White House contenders.
"Of course America is ready for a woman president," Blair said in an interview as a part of the First Lady's Conference on Women in California. Ever diplomatic, Blair preceded this statement by reminding the crowd, "Let me say first, who you elect as president is up to you and not me."
The women's conference, led by former NBC journalist Maria Shriver turned first lady of California, will feature five wives of presidential candidates in a discussion about their role in the 2008 campaign.
Elizabeth Edwards, Michelle Obama, Jeri Thompson, Cindy McCain, and Ann Romney will participate in the Shriver-moderated portion of the program. Several aspiring first ladies including Judith Giuliani and one first spouse (or 'first laddie' as he might prefer to be called) declined to attend.
Blair, who served ten years as Prime Minister, and developed a close working relationship with then-President Bill Clinton, also told New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman, who conducted the public interview, a story about the Thatcher era in Britain.
Blair recalled his "really strong conservative" father predicting, 'There is no way the British people will elect Margaret Thatcher.'
Thatcher, a conservative, won reelection three times and is the only female prime minister in Britain's history.
"People are less prejudiced than you ever think they are⦠irrespective of race, irrespective of gender, irrespective of everything else," Blair said of Thatcher's success, still carefully treading what such a tale might mean for the U.S. presidential election.
October 23, 2007 in Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (25)
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JUST NOT HILLARY. We need a president not a slug.
Posted by: Andy | Oct 23, 2007 2:03:18 PM
Might want to listen closely when transcribing quotes: Blair said "irrespective" three times, not "irregardless" as you reported. (note: irregardless is not really even a word..."-ir" and "-less" are both negatives.)
Posted by: Jay | Oct 23, 2007 3:17:28 PM
BLAIR better watch what he says or the REPUdlicans will destroy him like they tried to do the lovely DIDIE CHICKS they don't believe in FREEDOM OF SPEECH UNLESS IT IS SPOKEN BY THEM
Posted by: jshrum | Oct 23, 2007 4:54:43 PM
He's right. We are ready for a woman president. Unfortunately, Elizabeth Dole is the only decent woman to run for the office so far!
Posted by: jade02008 | Oct 23, 2007 5:06:18 PM
Why does everyone bring up the Dixie Chicks when discussing freedom of speech? She said what she wanted and she needs to accept what others say. Freedom of speech goes both ways.
Posted by: befair1265 | Oct 23, 2007 5:36:59 PM
We are not and never will be ready for Hillary Clinton as President. I will NEVER give her my vote regardless of who the Republicans run. I would rather stay home. We don't need inexperienced people being elected to the office that was once occupied by the likes of Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Reagan.
Posted by: Gary | Oct 23, 2007 8:03:57 PM
I think we're ready for a female president, as long as it's not Hillary. I'd vote for Condy Rice...have you seen her resume? Hillary can't hold a candle to her as far as qualifications and accomplishments go! Without Bill's name, she'd be just another mediocre lawyer.
Posted by: Brenda | Oct 23, 2007 8:43:56 PM
It's no secret all the pro-war advocates want Hillary. WE NEED A REAL CHANGE, NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL! RON PAUL AND/OR BARACK OBAMA!!
Posted by: Jeff | Oct 23, 2007 8:50:11 PM
Oh, I see the Hillary fan club is here. I love the 'centrist' label on a woman who has consistently been a left winger since her days at Wesley. Her brief foray into politics during her husband's administration would hardly be centrist. National health care is hardly centrist. Do you left wing moonbats really think that most people are fooled by that malarky?
Posted by: Gary | Oct 23, 2007 9:36:38 PM
I am really sick of the embracing of a person because they are a woman or a widget. She isn't even remotely experienced for this job. Please share with us what her experience is that makes her even remotely fit for the chief executive officer of the largest government on the face of the earth.
Posted by: Gary | Oct 23, 2007 9:39:21 PM
Gary, she was a former First Lady, also a Senator from one of the largest states that does have the largest city in the country with the largest government on earth. Would you say GW is more qualified?
Posted by: Jeremy | Oct 23, 2007 10:01:34 PM
So anyway the worst of them all had something to say, shame on you ABC news i would not have even provided a minute for his limelight, for anything. Good riddence in the UK
Posted by: lika valentino | Oct 23, 2007 10:53:15 PM
She is qualified to be President because she was first lady? Are you serious. That would make Laura Bush experienced to be President. You really haven't thought this through. That is a patently ridiculous statement.
Posted by: Gary | Oct 23, 2007 11:02:11 PM
GW was a Governor of one of the largest states in this nation. In case you are not aware, a Governor is a chief executive position. Senator is a legislator and has no relationship to being a chief executive.
Posted by: Gary | Oct 23, 2007 11:03:51 PM
At least Hillary finished her first term in the Senate -- Edwards and Obama couldn't even make it through one without giving in to ambition.
Posted by: Scott | Oct 24, 2007 10:02:00 AM
Let the people decide who they want as their president. As for Hillary she is qualified to be a president. The fact that she is a woman dose not mean anything, she has held public office, she is intelligent, articulate, and the right insight to issues. The best CEO's are not the smartest poeple but the people that work under them make the CEO look smart.
Posted by: vinni | Oct 24, 2007 10:49:57 AM
I would be glad to have a woman president. Just not Hillary. Hillary is too overrated. There was so much hype about getting a new president in 2004, but Bush still won. I don't think the people of America want a woman president that bad.
Posted by: Will | Oct 24, 2007 11:59:14 AM
Hillary is great. she will be our first women and first communist president.
viva la revolucion!!!
Posted by: Che | Oct 24, 2007 1:53:02 PM
yes, I think that the USA is ready for a female presdient in 08...that is 3008....won't happen in this century.
Posted by: Jake | Oct 24, 2007 4:25:00 PM
Gary, please educate yourself b4 you comment again! GW is doing as well with the US as he did with TX, and Perry continues in his footsteps, OMG to imagine Perry as president...eek!@ Don't be so scared of Hillary, just admit it ..If a chimp was running for your party and God for the other, you would still vote for the chimp.
Posted by: TXproud | Oct 25, 2007 12:34:04 AM
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