Let me rephrase it… Bush himself does respect and I bet admire/envy Blair. I should have said the Bush adminstration owes Blair a lot… and repeatedly have put Blair in awkward situations needlessly and many times. A bit more of Bush diplomacy would have helped Blair not get as much flak. Especially Rummy’s big mouth at the build up to Iraq. Bush has disregarded many of Blair pet projects on the environment and fighting poverty. I’d say Blair has been a way better ally to Bush than the contrary. Respect isn’t the right word I guess… but maybe consideration ?