Obama greets ‘good friend’ Blair

BBC
February 5, 2009

Tony Blair has become the first leading British politician to meet Barack Obama since he was sworn in as US President.

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The former prime minister was welcomed as a “very good friend” by Mr Obama, as he gave a speech at the traditional National Prayer Breakfast.

He advised the new president: “You don’t need cheerleaders but partners, not spectators but supporters.”

Mr Obama praised Mr Blair as “somebody who did it first and perhaps did it better than I will do”.

In his speech, Mr Blair had some words of advice for the new president, telling him: “The truest friends are those still around when the going gets toughest.”

Mr Blair, who converted to Catholicism after leaving office, warned that the “public eye is not always the most congenial”.

“Should it ever be tested, I hope your faith can sustain you and your family,” he said.

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After the address Mr Obama said: “I want to thank my good friend Tony Blair for coming today. He has been an example to so many people around the world of what dedicated leadership can accomplish.”

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