Blair=Tartuffe?
 

Just for perspective, an 18 second review:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=olQV_asnsbk

Would you prefer the man who shoves food into his mouth while talking to the British Prime Minister, or the one who thoughtfully leans over to kill the mike?

Since I just finished directing school production of Tartuffe, his character is fresh on my mind.

Consider following quote:
"Tony Blair is.... an empty vessel whose strength derives from his emptiness.... Because he is a Tartuffe who does not really believe in anything, he is brilliant at seizing advantage; when he can't manipulate events, he surfs over them."A.N. Wilson; Further Trials of Teflon Tony; The Evening Standard(London, UK); May 19, 2003.

Fair or accurate?

Probably not. People (even politicians) are seldom as bad as they are painted by some or as good as painted by others. Much of what is described in the quote in terms of manipulating and surfing is what all successful politicians do. But the emptiness part seems overdone to me.

Faust would be a better analogy.

Thanks.

I have a theory about the dangerous middle years after youthful idealism and before looming reality of afterlife, when you're most likely to make your soul-selling deals. Not to accuse Blair of any such thing from my ignorant distance.

I think Blair's is one of the interesting stories on the world stage. Will read the book when it comes out.