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CNN Live At Daybreak
Blair's Image: Could It Use Some Sexing-Up?
Aired February 16, 2004 - 05:45 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And the British papers have been brutal to Tony Blair. The prime minister's approval rating has taken a hit.
Our Fionnuala Sweeney looks at what Mr. Blair might do to improve his image.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FIONNUALA SWEENEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He's Britain's sprightly statesman, charismatic, wholesome and very, very popular, a polished political performer. But that was then and this is now. Plagued by harsh tabloid headlines, he's accused of fibbing, exaggerating intelligence and controversially sexing up a dossier to justify the case for war. And though exonerated, his popularity is plummeting.
One fashion editor suggests it's the new PM himself that needs sexing up, starting with a trip to the beauty salon and a swanky Southern Rose (ph) suit.
JULIA ROBSON, DEP. FASHION EDITOR, "DAILY TELEGRAPH": He could do from having solid advice from a tailor or someone who really knows how to sharpen his image. Because we will judge him by what he looks like much -- you know almost as much as what he is saying.
SWEENEY: While his style may be slipping, it may be unfair to describe Blair as spectacularly unsuccessful. He has won two landslide majorities in the House of Commons. But could the top man in British politics cut it in the business world?
PAUL KELLY, LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS: He's a very consummate performer. He looks good. He presents his case well. Where he wouldn't work so well in the corporate sector is as a CEO, as the top man. And the reason for that is because I think there is the tendency to see the national interest, the party interest as Tony's interest.
SWEENEY: So with his corporate cache on perhaps shaky grounds, what other prospects could the PM have if he suddenly found himself out of a job?
MAX CLIFFORD, PUBLIC IMAGE GENIUS: I think he'd make a very good king of England or maybe assistant king or something like that or first reserve king or you know the Queen's special envoy. So he would be the one that does all the speaking, all the meeting and greeting and all the television stuff, and she and Prince Charles just hide behind him. SWEENEY: If the Royals don't budge, there's always the speaking circuit or he could write a book.
Fionnuala Sweeney, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired February 16, 2004 - 05:45 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And the British papers have been brutal to Tony Blair. The prime minister's approval rating has taken a hit.
Our Fionnuala Sweeney looks at what Mr. Blair might do to improve his image.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FIONNUALA SWEENEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He's Britain's sprightly statesman, charismatic, wholesome and very, very popular, a polished political performer. But that was then and this is now. Plagued by harsh tabloid headlines, he's accused of fibbing, exaggerating intelligence and controversially sexing up a dossier to justify the case for war. And though exonerated, his popularity is plummeting.
One fashion editor suggests it's the new PM himself that needs sexing up, starting with a trip to the beauty salon and a swanky Southern Rose (ph) suit.
JULIA ROBSON, DEP. FASHION EDITOR, "DAILY TELEGRAPH": He could do from having solid advice from a tailor or someone who really knows how to sharpen his image. Because we will judge him by what he looks like much -- you know almost as much as what he is saying.
SWEENEY: While his style may be slipping, it may be unfair to describe Blair as spectacularly unsuccessful. He has won two landslide majorities in the House of Commons. But could the top man in British politics cut it in the business world?
PAUL KELLY, LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS: He's a very consummate performer. He looks good. He presents his case well. Where he wouldn't work so well in the corporate sector is as a CEO, as the top man. And the reason for that is because I think there is the tendency to see the national interest, the party interest as Tony's interest.
SWEENEY: So with his corporate cache on perhaps shaky grounds, what other prospects could the PM have if he suddenly found himself out of a job?
MAX CLIFFORD, PUBLIC IMAGE GENIUS: I think he'd make a very good king of England or maybe assistant king or something like that or first reserve king or you know the Queen's special envoy. So he would be the one that does all the speaking, all the meeting and greeting and all the television stuff, and she and Prince Charles just hide behind him. SWEENEY: If the Royals don't budge, there's always the speaking circuit or he could write a book.
Fionnuala Sweeney, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
