A TASK FOR BLAIR
Here's a suggestion for Tony Blair, let's he takes it: suggest publicly to Donald Rumsfeld that he resign.

Blair is little esteemed by the British public nowadays, the "poodle" charge has started to seem more convincing. But he is very popular in America. He even, I suspect, has some sway over American opinion.

If Blair made the case against Rumsfeld, it would play very well, I think, at home. Some Americans might hold it against him, but a lot, I think, wouldn't. If the French did it, we would spit. But Blair has a lot of political capital here. At the worst, this would be a way for Blair to transfer his political capital from the US to the UK, where it does him more good. At best, he might even increase his capital in the US, if people thought his influence was salutary, and of course increase it in Britain too.

Tony would probably even help his friend George, in the process. He wouldn't blame Bush for the scandal, of course. Rumsfeld is a polarizing figure; his resignation would help Bush move towards the center.

Moreover, this seems to match Tony's character of late: an "adrenaline junkie," constantly risking his career, doing something surprising and desperate. If you think about it, it's almost a no-brainer! C'mon, Tony!...