... Bryan thinks that neither we nor the British have for quite some time now. Well, the British had their chance a while back. See William Hague gets it right...
I've met Hague, and he seemed pretty smart to me. Also, note how he not only is funny, but actually manages to say something.
I think Hague would have been a disaster as PM, as he was as head of the Tory party.
ReplyDeleteAs a historian/biographer, he seems to be OK, from the reviews I have read. He should stick to that I think.
Really, Frank, he came over as a total nitwit while he was leading the Tory party and the party plummeted in the ratings during that time, necessitating his quick exit come the general election when he lost so badly. He has a very nice, smart wife, though.
Well, Maxine, maybe it just shows that the kind of intelligence needed for electoral success is different for what is needed be a historian (Hague's biography of Pitt the Younger is excellent). On the other hand, he was up against Tony Blair, who is, I think everyone admits, an exceptionally good politician. And I must say, from this distance, Hague looks like Churchill compared to Cameron.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, Maxine, you do have to admit that it's a very funny clip.
ReplyDeleteEnough is enough. We, Americans, voted God into existence three years ago. Wasn’t that a hell of an accomplishment?
ReplyDeleteOh, Jack, Jack - lighten up. We don't need a steady diet of sermons. In fact, I'm giving them up altogether for Lent.
ReplyDeleteHague was awful when he was Conservative party leader, although part of the blame must go to the party's spin doctors. They tried to mould Hague as some young cool dude who liked a drink with the lads - a preposterous idea that made him look utterly false. Also, it destroyed his credibility as a potential, 'serious' PM.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, he was no match for Blair before a camera. That's to say nothing of the fact that the Conservatives were always going to lose that election, no matter who their leader was. Hague's lack of leadership made it a slaughter.
It's good he's found a career that suits him better.
Of course, it is possible he was propelled to the leadership a decade too early. He might have more credibility now if he had waited his time. He might even be leader of the Conservative party and a dangerous challenge to the government. There is probably a warning in there for all of us in a hurry...
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, the clip is funny.
Frank:
ReplyDeleteTony Blaire was a good guy—even an intelligent politician—who kept bad company. He shouldn’t have believed that George Bush, like Mohammed, talked to God.