The Special Relationship

This film contains some strong language

You know, Reno, we should have teamed up years ago!

-We're two of a kind, alright!

-Partners!

-Through thick and thin!

-Night or day!

-Right or wrong!

# If you're ever in a jam, here I am

# If you ever need a pal I'm your gal

# If you ever feel so happy you land in jail, I'm your bail

# It's friendship # Friendship

# Just the perfect blendship

# When other friendships have been forgot

# Ours will still be hot

# A-dadda-ladda-ladda, dig dig dig

# If you're ever down a well ring my bell

# If you ever catch on fire send a wire

# If you ever lose your teeth when you're out to dine, borrow mine

# It's friendship # Friendship

# Just the perfect blendship

# When other friendships go up in smoke, ours will still be oak

# A-dadda-ladda-ladda, goof goof goof

# If you ever lose your mind, I'll be kind

# If you ever lose your shirt I'll be hurt

# If you're ever in a mill and get sawed in half, I won't laugh

# It's friendship # Friendship

# Just the perfect blendship

# When other friendships have been "forgate", ours will still be great

# When other friendships have been forgot, ours will still be hot! #

Hi, I'm Tony Blair. Pleased to meet you.

Er, could you just open the boot for me?

1988. Voters with an annual income of 15,000 to 50,000

voted 20% Democrat, 48% Republican.

1992. Those same voters go for Clinton 45%, versus 35% for Bush.

Why?

Because we redefined ourselves.

We reached out to voters who felt that the social policies

of conservatives were selfish and uncaring,

and convinced them that we were not the old-style, wasteful

tax-and-spend liberals conservatives would have them believe we were.

So, welfare. Provide welfare, but with a time limit.

Mandate job training.

Get those people skills, get them back off the dole.

Same with crime. Be tough on the causes of crime -

education, lack of education, poverty but be tough on criminals as well.

You're going to have to listen to what people are saying.

Don't keep coming at them with ideas and language that they don't want.

It's a helluva lot easier to change what your party stands for

than to change what people want.

Policy's only get to get you so far.

If you guys are serious about putting the Labour Party back into power,

above everything you're going to need to get yourself one of these.

A bonafide, triple-A, vote-winning political superstar.

Madames et Monsieurs, le President de la Republic,

Monsieur Jacques Chirac

et le chef de Partie Travieste, Monsieur Tony Blair.

Monsieur le President, our Prime Minister, John Major,

and my political opponents in Britain believe that they will

win the next election by expressing their hostility to Europe.

Well, not me.

Let us be in no doubt that we in Europe are a superpower too.

I'm sorry.

Tony, that was terrific, they loved you.

-So good I almost believed it myself.

-Exactly.

We've just got a confirmation from the Foreign Office.

It's a yes for the Washington trip.

-Great!

-Meeting with the chairman of the Federal Reserve,

reception at the British Embassy.

-And Clinton?

-A one-on-one with the man himself in the Oval Office.

With the full White House press corps in attendance.

I thought Leaders of the Opposition were kept at a distance

so as not to upset the Prime Minister?

-They are.

-So why the exception?

-Well, it's obvious, isn't it?

They think you're going to win.

-Have you seen my blue shirt?

-What?

-Have you seen my blue shirt?

I can't hear you.

Well, they'll have to go to the Court of Appeal for that,

if they have the stomach for it.

-Have you seen my blue shirt?

-Which blue shirt?

-Pale blue.

Look in the basket.

Yeah, I'll see you at court 27. 10:15.

If I put it in the basket, why didn't she do it?

Take another shirt

-I've already chosen my tie.

-Well, take another tie.

I don't want to take another tie.

-It's touching. I've not seen you this nervous before.

-I'm not nervous.

-Then why are you snapping?

-I'm not snap...!

Last time you went to Washington I seem to remember

a slightly more casual attitude.

Last time I went to Washington, I met with Clinton's advisers.

-To nick their ideas?

-No, to seek their advice on reshaping the party.

Reshaping yourself, more like.

You came back, Clinton hair, Clinton suit.

Everything minus the tarty girlfriend.

Why does his wife put up with...?

Oh, Tony, don't worry. He'll love you.

Hopefully there'll be somewhere in Washington

I can get a bloody shirt done.

Good God! They're bringing us in through the north-west gate.

-What does that mean?

-It's the front door. The heads of state entrance.

As if you're already Prime Minister.

-Switch sides.

-Why?

-They'll open the door on the left.

You have to get out first. Come on!

For goodness' sake!

Hell, Alastair!

I hope nobody saw that.

Comfy?

Yes.

-Good morning, sir. Welcome to the White House.

-Thank you.

-This is Alastair Campbell.

-How do you do?

-This is Jonathan Powell, chief of staff.

-Yes, we know.

Right this way, gentleman.

-First time in the White House?

-Yes.

-Please tell me you're getting a kick out of this.

-Yes, thank you.

-Potus is still in the family residence right now.

-Potus?

President of the United States.

Heading down the staircase.

Will we have one of those?

On the ground floor now.

Into the colonnade.

Not bad. 15 minutes late. You must be important.

OK, here we go, sir.

Straight ahead.

Be sure to ask him about the moon rock.

Thanks.

I'm very glad we had this chance to talk.

I've always been straight with you, Mr Ambassador.

So when I tell you that we share the concerns of the people of Okinawa,

I know that you'll believe me.

Secretary Perry and I have been talking through some ideas

that will safguard our security interest in the northern Pacific,

as well as fulfil our commitments to your people.

Japan has long been a close security partner with the United States,

and nothing, I promise you, is going to jeopardise that.

Well, it's good talking to you too.

Mr Blair.

Tony, please.

Welcome to the White House.

I have been following your career with great interest.

-So you know we've taken a page out of your book.

-Quite a few pages.

Which I consider to be a big compliment.

-Have a seat.

-Thanks.

You know, we keep a pretty close eye on things over here,

and we think that the smart money is on you.

And I thought a high-profile visit with an American President

might just help you across the finish line.

Because I believe you're going to win by a landslide.

So what you've got to realise is, rhetoric can only get you so far.

You can talk your way into office but you're not going to stay there

unless you can deliver on the promise of your words.

Well, we've had 17 years of Conservative government,

during which the country has veered wildly off course.

If Labour does get in, I'd like to make sure that we stay in

long enough to get us back on the right track.

I think we're going to enjoy working together.

Now don't get me wrong, Major's not all that bad.

He's been great on Northern Ireland.

And when you're elected, it is my sincere hope

that you continue to fight for peace.

Oh, peace in Northern Ireland is top of my agenda.

I just don't think it's reasonable in today's world

to carry on with that kind of dispute.

If you need my help, just pick up the phone.

Thanks, I will.

And don't be surprised if you feel completely,

totally overwhelmed when you do get into office.

Because in all that time out on the road,

scrambling and fighting to actually get that job,

no-one briefs you on what to do when you get there.

Now, you seem a pretty quick study. I bet you'll settle in just fine.

So, we have a few minutes before the press.

Did anyone around here tell you to ask about the moon rock?

Erm, they did, actually.

3.6 billion years old.

You know, sometimes when things get stressful around here

I just shut that door, sit on the couch and hold that rock.

And think, we all just got to chill a little.

-A productive meeting, Mr President?

-Very.

We discussed a number of things including the peace

process in Northern Ireland, which is an article of faith for me,

personally, as you know.

Do you think you've been talking to

the next Prime Minister of Great Britain?

Oh, come on, that's not a diplomatic question.

Look, I just hope he's been talking to

the next President of the United States.

'Tonight Bill Clinton proves his title, "The Comeback Kid,"

after winning a historic second term in the White House.'

'Bill Clinton is the first Democrat

'to win re-election since Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

'The Labour Prime Minister in Number 10,

'after 18 years of Conservative rule.

'This is a presidential moment.

'Look at them grabbing at him, the passion in their faces.

'He's their man. Let's just listen to the sound for a second.'

CROWD CHEERS

'Tony Blair and his wife, Cherie, led Labour out of the wilderness

'and back into Downing Street.

'The new prime minister promised to work for the people.

'He said his government would take

'practical measures in pursuit of noble causes.'

-Hey, good to see.

-Hello.

-How are you?

Tony, President Chirac on the line.

-How do you want to do this? In English or French?

-Does it matter?

Well, he speaks fluent English, as you know, but my guess is,

he'll start in French, thinking it will give him the upper hand.

I think you should stand your ground, do this in English.

I'll be listening in. Bon chance.

Hello.

Thank you, Jacques.

Let's hope so.

Well, I will do everything I can to live up to that.

Tony, Clinton on line two.

Er, unfortunately Jacques, I've got to go.

CHIRAC CHATTERS IN FRENCH.

Sorry about that.

Moi aussi. Je... Allo?

-LINE GOES DEAD

-Allo?

Bill, how great of you to call.

Please hold for the president of the United States of America.

PHONE RINGS

-A call, Mr President.

-Thank you, excuse me.

Is this Tony Blair I'm speaking to, the new dictator of Britain?

-Congratulations, Tony.

-Thank you.

A majority of 179! It's unbelievable!

I'm going to make prediction right now,

and say that 2nd May, 1997 is the day that progressive politics

became the default setting in Western democracies.

So, that's your name in the history books, right there.

And you won Edgbaston, the first Labour victory there ever,

and the Wirral South.

Tony, it's sensational. Hey, listen, I've got to go,

but we're going to see each other in about a month.

-Yes, indeed.

-All right, we'll catch up properly then.

Hey, whether we have dinner one night, the four of us,

Cherie and Hillary, too?

-Er, Cherie, I'd love that.

-OK, it's a date.

I'll let you pick the place, we're easy, we'll eat anything,

just no catfish or fried green tomatoes, OK?

-That's a promise.

-See you.

-Did we win Edgbaston?

-Yes.

-And Wirral South?

-Apparently.

He's got no business knowing that. That's just showing off.

President Clinton, and First Lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton made

a detour to London to pay a flying visit to Tony Blair today.

'The pair of post-war baby boomers, they came to power by moderating

'the liberal tendencies of their respective political parties.

'They're being watched for signals as to what can

'be expected of the two men, who seem to have so much in common.'

Sure I can't offer you anything?

No, I'm good.

I suppose you know the awful term, "special relationship?"

Something our Foreign Office is always keen to promote.

Oh, I know it. Every country on earth claims it,

although in terms of actual affect on US foreign policy,

Israel, China, Saudi Arabia, and the Irish Republic

are the ones who merit it.

Still, every now and again a situation arises

where personal chemistry between the two leaders,

as well as the shared language,

shared history is such that the term could have some currency.

You think this is one of those moments?

I do, actually.

Smart call.

You have two ask yourself, when did it last happen that two guys on the

same team found themselves with their hands on the joystick like this?

-It's a unique opportunity.

-Yes, it is.

We take away the bullshit, all the reasons that

things don't get done, the same excuses, and roadblocks

that people have been throwing up for years.

We could put right-wing politics out of business for a generation,

heck, maybe for ever.

The same with the old far left.

Exactly. Aggressive, centre-left politics is the future.

What you're talking about is a whole paradigm shift,

a new kind of politics, for the new millennium.

We build a global consensus around our ideas.

There's nothing that we can't tackle.

I mean, you look at the facts, I've got three more years,

then Al Gore, that's eight years right there,

and then in Europe, you're just getting started.

And there's Persson in Sweden, Schroeder in Germany, Cardoso in Brazil.

People are ready for this, and we're on the right side of history.

It's a slam-dunk. HE CHIMES THE GLASS

You know, he understands the limitations of power,

of what can be accomplished, he just refuses to be limited by them.

He is a visionary. A true visionary.

Well, before you develop too much of a crush,

it's also worth remembering that this visionary is also the first

president in the United States to be up on a sexual harassment charge.

Well, if you'd been there, if you'd heard him,

you'd understand what this could mean for me, for all of us.

Well, I wasn't there, was I?

I was out entertaining the visionary's wife.

So, how was it? With the First Lady?

Oh, fine, until on the way back from the theatre

she let slip how big her staff is.

She has her own policy advisers, her own chief of staff,

bloody aeroplane at her disposal, if you please.

Darling, would it help if I sent Jonathan out to buy you a Filofax?

SARCASTIC: Hah, hah.

Listening to her, you realise, effectively it's a co-presidency.

-He takes her advice on everything.

-I take yours.

-Oh, bollocks.

It's all boys time with you, with your Jonathans,

your Alastairs, your Gordons.

You know, Bill Clinton was once asked, who would he go to

if there was a crisis in the room?

-He said his wife, now you'd never say that.

-Yes, I would.

-Rubbish.

Whereas they're so tight. Such close collaborators.

There are effectively running the country together.

I think there's something quite romantic about it.

Do you know when he was governor of Arkansas,

the staffers actually referred to them as - Billary!

Billary? What would that make us? Terie?

-Chony?

-Tony, no, no, you can't get me...

-Give us a kiss. Mwah.

-Stop it.

Because we're such tight collaborators.

What did you get up to today?

I was taken to see the newly renovated

Globe Theatre by Cherie Blair.

Oh, God. What did you do to deserve that?

That's what we do, the wives of great men,

then we had some lunch, just the two of us.

Did you swap stories, talk about Tony and me,

the things we do that drive you crazy?

Your names came up.

She ask your advice?

I told her to shield her children from the

tabloid spotlight as much as possible, and to try and be herself,

both of which, she will discover are impossible.

She's in kind of a tough spot, she doesn't get much help,

which she whined about a bit.

That's just the working class.

You know she's from Liverpool, it's the Arkansas of England.

-She obviously adores him, though.

-Well, he's quite a catch.

-It's not often you see that.

-What?

A couple where the husband is more attractive than the wife.

-He is handsome.

-Blair? You think so?

-You don't?

Well, he's got charm, I guess, but there's something about him,

he's too perfect.

So, you prefer your man imperfect?

Because I hate to disappoint you, hon, but my mama told me

a million times that I'm just too good to be true.

Yeah, right.

Is there ever a moment when you're not stuffing that thing?

-So, you continue to practice, you're not giving up the law?

-Oh, no, never.

I mean, that's if anyone will bring the cases now that

Tony's in Number 10.

-Oh, that's right, bring it on me.

-What did your predecessor do?

Norma Major?

Oh, Chequers, the Prime Minister's country house, and its history.

-Oh, perfect!

-Cherie's going to do that about Downing Street.

-Tony!

Could I offer one piece of serious advice, if it's not too presumptuous?

-Here we go.

-Or self aggrandising?

-Feel free to ignore him.

No, please, I'd like to hear it.

Hit the ground running.

Now, we got off to a bad start, and it's taking us for years to recover.

The other thing is to start thinking now about what you want your legacy to be.

I've been in office less than a month,

you want me to work out my legacy.

No, Bill is right, because if you don't do it,

other people will do it for you.

Legacy is reductive, people tend to remember you for one thing,

you have to make sure you get ahead and define what that is.

And if you decide to take up a cause, make sure it isn't healthcare!

And if someone in your first press conference asks you about gays in the military, you say nothing!

People often ask me

if I'm exhilarated by our election victory,

and of course I'm excited about it,

but I feel an equally profound sense of responsibility.

I feel it perhaps especially about here, Northern Ireland.

This is not a party political game,

it's about life and death to the people here.

The people of Northern Ireland have stood up

to terrorist violence for 25 years, they have not been destroyed by it,

but the legacy of bitterness has made the normal political

give-and-take virtually impossible.

The IRA and Sinn Fein have a choice between negotiations and violence.

My message to Sinn Fein is clear.

The settlement train is leaving.

I want you on that train, but it is leaving anyway.

And I will not allow it to wait for you, thank you very much.

APPLAUSE

Thank you.

'The search for peace in Northern Ireland was dealt

'a devastating blow today, when the IRA murdered two police officers.

'Two IRA gunmen caught them in a side street.

'It's believed they came up behind them, and shot them in the head at close range.

'All this after Sinn Fein attacked Tony Blair's

'impassioned ultimatum for peace, as pro-Unionist.'

'Gerry Adams, told about the shootings at a book signing,

'said that on a personal level he was shocked,

'but reluctant to comment on the political fallout.'

I mean, how could they do that?

I merely suggest they enter talks, and they killed two people.

I mean, maybe I went too far.

You said what had to be said, and they heard it.

The men who murdered those cops.

That's why they did what they did, they're scared.

They're scared, because after all the decades

of endless back and forth, and false starts,

there's finally a man at Downing Street

whose not going to put up with their bullshit any more.

Gerry Adams assured me that he was ready to push for a ceasefire,

so that Sinn Fein could join the talks.

He knew what I was going to say, and then this, and he says nothing.

Nothing. Not a word against the people who killed those men.

Well, how can I help? Want me to make a statement?

No, your advisers will tell you that there is no mileage in you

involving yourself in the domestic problems of the UK.

Gerry Adams owes me.

I gave that guy a visa and political legitimacy,

when you Brits were not even allowing him on TV.

I want to do this right.

Why don't you have your guys jot down a few ideas?

Come up with a few lines.

You'll have them before you get up.

LINE GOES DEAD

CHURCH BELLS PEAL

The IRA has claimed responsibility for what is ultimately an outrageous

act of cowardice, and no-one should ever make the mistake of thinking

that actions of this kind represent anything equating to patriotism.

I frankly think now the ball is in Sinn Fein's court.

Everyone has decisions to make in life.

Their decision is, are they going to be part of the peace process, or not?

I hope the answer will be, yes.

'Good evening, the Sinn Fein leader, Gerry Adams,

'walked into Number 10 Downing Street,

'the first such meeting for 76 years.'

We had a good meeting, and I think we engaged.

I think we faced up to the difficulties.

In many ways, the engagement could be described as a moment of history,

because usually the moment in Anglo Irish relationships

in history are bad moments, today was a significantly good moment.

'It is thought that President Bill Clinton helped to revive

'the peace process in Northern Ireland today,

'proving yet again the long reach of his political clout.'

-Bill, thank you.

-My pleasure. Happy to help.

Sometimes it just takes an outsider to help settle a family dispute.

Well, I can't thank you enough.

After all these months, the peace process is back on track.

Well, I guess we can jot one down for the good guys, hey?

Well, we've got a real shot at this now.

And we can never have done it without your support.

Hey, there are no debts here, no IOUs,

we're just pulling together to get a job done.

So, if there's nothing else, I've got to go.

-If there's anything, any time...

-LINE GOES DEAD

'Tonight, partly cloudy and cool

'dropping to the mid and upper 50s...'

DOG BARKS

Mr President.

Let's go.

There's going to be something in the news today you should know about.

What? What is it?

It's not that I don't know the answer,

it's just a very badly worded question.

And if I did tell you the answer,

you wouldn't learn anything, would you?

Except cheating.

-PHONE RINGS

-Euan, you've got one more minute on that, and that's it.

Hello.

Yeah, are you near a television? Switch on the news.

Well, OK, I'll have to call you back.

Come on, Nicky.

'..taken the city by storm. This just in from Washington.

'Kenneth Starr, the independent councillor

'investigating the alleged criminal conduct

'of President and Mrs Clinton in the Whitewater affair,

'issued a wave of White House subpoenas today,

'accusing the president of having sex

'with Monica Lewinsky, a 23-year-old White House intern.'

23? She's a child!

'Federal investigators are rumoured to be in possession of taped

'conversations discussing the alleged affair between Miss Lewinsky

'and President Clinton.

'The recordings, in which she refers to President Clinton as,

'"The Big He," and, "The Creep," recalling the Paula Jones case,

'in which detailed descriptions of the President's penis were...'

OK, kids, enough. Come on, out. Out, Euan.

Nick. Come on, come on, out, out, out.

'Miss Lewinsky is also rumoured to have said in one of the taped

'conversations that, "I have lied my entire life."'

This might not be the best time to be planning a trip to Washington.

Well, who says any of it's true?

Ken Starr's involved. It's probably a right-wing witch-hunt.

A muckraking exercise.

You watch, this story could go away as quickly as it is broken.

The President of America having sex with a girl half his age?

This story hasn't even started.

'..the allegations as mischievous invention.'

OK, well, how do you know this girl?

-She was interning in the West Wing a couple of years ago.

-Yeah.

I talked to her a few times.

She said she was looking for a job, and you know me,

I offered to help, I gave her a couple of names

of people she could talk to.

I was just trying to be nice, but apparently,

she seemed to think it was something more.

She thought, she thought it was more, why?

-Why on earth would she think that?

-Well, I don't know.

You know how it is, how people are around me.

So, you're telling me that you did nothing that could be

misinterpreted, nothing that could be misread?

-No, no.

-Nothing.

-Nothing. I swear.

Now, the way they tell it,

I was having sex in the Oval Office, midday.

-Oh, for heaven's sake.

-You know that's ridiculous

with all the guards and the windows around there,

that's not going to happen.

These people...

This is all just the same bullshit, they think

they can put something in the paper, and that just makes it true.

Same old innuendos, same old are digging for dirt

when there's nothing there.

Ken Starr is going to go after you with everything he's got.

They're discussing his penis in public.

Five and a half inches, with a curve when erect.

It's hardly Errol Flynn, is it?

I wonder who's angry with him now, his wife for his betrayals,

or his press secretary for his modest endowment?

Now, had it been eight inches long, and as thick as a baguette...

-Oh, for God's sake, shut up.

-A little irritable today, aren't we?

I am.

Why do these European summits always fill one with gloom?

Because they're full of pompous, irrelevant twats,

with stupid accents, who are stuck in the past,

-and never know when to shut up.

-Oh, that would be the reason then.

Plus, events in Washington will dominate all the front pages now.

-Which makes the whole thing feel rather pointless.

-Sir.

Morning, Sir, the list you asked for on the current members

of the European Commission, and their staffs.

Thank you.

-Who's she?

-The new intern, from the Foreign Office.

You should know the tapes of Lewinsky's conversations,

-that are supposed to be out...

-Well, are they out there or not?

Well, it's an ongoing investigation, the information is privileged,

there's no way we can...

Right, so these tapes that may, or may not, be out there...

Yes, well, it's been suggested it contains certain revelations

about the president's voicemails to Miss Lewinsky,

an exchange of gifts,

his preference for oral sex,

and the supposedly existence of a dress with semen stains.

That's enough.

Whether these tapes are out there or not, it's a "he said, she said."

We have a starstruck intern versus the president of the United States,

they've got nothing.

Now the best way for us to turn the tables,

to stop this being personal, is to make it political,

because I'm not going to conduct a public debate about my marriage.

I want to conduct a debate about the right-wing media,

and Ken fucking Starr,

because they have been on our backs right from the beginning.

So, this is what they going to do...

'The White House is said to be in crisis mode,

'As Mr Clinton prepares to give a State of the Union address...

'The pressure on the White House intern...

'The White House scandal is already the biggest soap opera running,

'and the viewers show no sign of tuning out.'

Well, I want to say one thing to the American people,

and I want you to listen to me, I'm going to say this again,

I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky.

These allegations are false.

Now, I need to go back to work for the American people. Thank you.

There's been one subject in particular

weighing on the minds of the American public,

the alleged sexual relationship

between the president and Miss Lewinsky.

Has your husband explained

the nature of this relationship to you in detail?

Well, we've talked at great length, and I think as this matter unfolds,

I think the entire country will have more information.

But we're right in the middle of a rather vigorous

feeding frenzy right now, and I have learnt over these last many years

being involved in politics that the best thing to do in these cases

is just to be patient, take a deep breath,

and the truth will come out.

But there's nothing we can do to fight this

firestorm of allegations that are out there.

Do you think your husband would admit again causing

pain your marriage?

No, absolutely not, and he shouldn't.

You know, we've been married for 22 years,

and I have learned a long time ago that the only people

who count in any marriage are the two that are in it.

'And I guess I've just been through it so many times.

'I mean, Bill and I have been accused of everything,

'including murder,

'by some of the very same people who are behind these allegations.

'The great story here

'for anybody willing to find it

'and write about it and explain it

'is this vast right-wing conspiracy

'that has been conspiring against my husband

'since the day he announced for president.

'A few journalists have kind of caught on to it and explained it,

'but it has not yet been fully revealed to the American public.

'And actually, you know, in a bizarre sort of way,

'this may do it.'

You know, the longer this goes on, the worse it is for Clinton.

I wonder whether we might not want to take a step back.

I'm on my way to Washington

to do a press conference with the man, Jonathan.

It may be a little late in the day for a step back.

Come on, let's be realistic here, he's hardly bloody Milosevic, is he?

What he did, or did not do, is a personal matter.

Public people are entitled to private lives, Alastair.

There's nothing private about his.

It doesn't affect his ability to govern though, does it?

Not to mention he's a friend.

Tony, all political friendship is strategic and conditional.

A slight cooling may be no bad thing.

What, and back off from the special relationship

we've all been so keen to promote?

No, no, not back off, just...re-evaluate.

And if there is any truth to the story,

they're in so deep they'll never get out.

-He can hardly come clean.

-America elected him knowing his history with women.

If he did do it he should make a big public apology, move on.

His lawyers would hate that idea.

They'd see it as a chance to tough it out on definition in the hope it'll go away.

-Would you, if you were defending him?

-Who?

The Big Creep?

I suppose it comes down to what you actually think constitutes sex.

That's easy. Intercourse, penetration.

What, so blow jobs don't count?

-No.

-No.

God, you men are pathetic.

Come on, you know the deal -

eatin' ain't cheatin'.

-That's disgusting!

-If it ain't in, it ain't a sin.

-Apparently there's even a passage in the Bible that supports it.

-Supports what?

The idea that oral sex doesn't constitute adultery.

-Bollocks!

-Really?!

Ecclesiastes, discovered by Clinton's rapid response team.

-God, they're good!

-It's hardly bloody fidelity either.

Organs from one person's body have entered another,

how can that not be sex?!

This language. It's just bizarre.

Technically, what we're doing

is having a political conversation here, but it's just...

blue.

Yesterday, CNN put out an announcement

before their nightly news bulletin

warning parents the content might not be appropriate for children.

God.

Which brings us back to the original question -

shouldn't we be thinking about taking a step back?

'All eyes today will be on Tony Blair as he flies into a political storm,

'the likes of which hasn't been seen since the Watergate affair.

'His back against the wall, Bill Clinton may benefit

'from his close connection with the British Prime Minister,

'who is widely admired in the United States.

'It is likely the official agenda for the meeting between the President and the Prime Minister

'will be pushed aside for questions about Bill Clinton's relationship

'with a former White House intern.'

CHATTER AND HUBBUB

There's an article in tomorrow's New York Times

that suggests Clinton coached his secretary

to lie about his relationship with Lewinsky

If that's true,

then it implies he did lie in the Paula Jones hearing

and he did lean on Lewinsky to lie in her affidavit.

Infidelity by a President is one thing,

perjury is quite another.

He's here.

Tony, sorry to put you through this.

-Not at all.

-We'll get through it.

Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States,

and the Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Let me just start by saying that it's a real pleasure

to welcome Prime Minister Blair here to Washington.

Today, on the verge of a new century, a new millennium,

America is prouder than ever to stand shoulder to shoulder

with its close friend, the United Kingdom.

It continues a great tradition,

and a special relationship between our two countries.

-Mr President.

-Mr President.

Eric.

Prime Minister, as a friend

and as a religious man,

I was wondering whether you offered your personal advice to President Clinton

during these difficult times

of criminal investigation into his sexual behaviour.

That's what in the British media we call a helpful question.

LAUGHTER

Ah... No. Michael.

Prime Minister, some people are struck by the warmth

of the personal statements of support that you've been giving to the president,

could I ask, had you ever considered

that might be a politically risky strategy?

You heard the president talking about the special relationship

between our two countries

and the great tradition

of standing shoulder to shoulder with one another.

And I'm reminded of a story from the height of World War II...

when Britain desperately needed America's help.

It wasn't always certain that they would come to our help

and at one point Harry Hopkins,

the emissary to the American President Roosevelt,

was sent to Britain.

Hopkins said to Churchill, "I suppose you wish to know

"what I'll be saying to President Roosevelt on my return."

Well, he said he would be quoting from a passage from the Bible.

"Whither thou goest, I will go.

"Whither thou lodgest, I will lodge.

"Thy people shall be my people,

"and thy God my God."

"Even to the end."

You just asked whether my support, my friendship,

was a politically risky strategy.

I've worked with President Clinton for some nine months.

I have found him, throughout,

someone I can trust, someone I could rely upon,

someone I'm proud to call not just a colleague, but a friend.

And I happen to think that if you look at the American economy,

if you look at the respect with which America is held

right around the world today,

it's a pretty impressive record for anyone.

Mr President, do you appreciate Mr Blair's support?

No, no.

I think he should have just come over here and jumped all over me.

I hope you worked out what you want in return.

Cos you saved that man today, he owes you big time.

Who says I want something in return?

Well, if you don't, it makes what you did even harder to understand.

I did it because I like him.

And because now he owes you.

And because I believe in what he's trying to do,

what we can do, together.

And because now he owes you.

Is anything wrong with that?

We've been on borrowed time in the Balkans.

Milosevic is playing us for fools.

'We should have seen this coming.'

We got Milosevic to the negotiating table over Bosnia

by agreeing that Kosovo was an internal matter for the Serbs

and now he thinks he can do what he wants.

'And by the time the UN is finished arguing

'over the finer points of international law'

Milosevic will have killed another 250,000 people

and driven another 2 million from their homes, just like he did in Bosnia.

Now, that's not going to happen, not on my watch.

John Major acted too slowly and too reluctantly in Bosnia.

This government's not going to make the same mistake.

Yes, we have to make our case to the UN

that the Serbs are guilty of genocide,

but at the same time,

we've got to come up with a credible threat to stop Milosevic.

You and Madeline Albright are preaching from the same pulpit.

So, where do we go from here?

We start with the full range of economic sanctions.

Work to get NATO on board and consider our military options.

What about the Russians?

You just leave the Russians to me.

Boris will kick and scream just like he did over Bosnia,

but we just gave him five billion dollars in aid

so I have a little leverage there.

I'm more concerned about Europe.

The Italians will be against any action for a start.

-As will the Germans.

-What about the French?

Chirac will want to play by the book.

Do nothing without the full support of the international community.

You've the perfect form there.

Presidency of the EU for another three months.

-Hasn't made any difference so far.

-You can be very persuasive, Tony.

I have a theory you can take any word in the English language

that excites you like sex or food or music or money and completely

remove any pleasure it arouses simply by adding the prefix "euro".

-Bonjour, Monsieur Prime Minister.

-Good morning, Jacques.

Perhaps you could enlighten us, we've been struggling with a small

but important technicality.

Of course, happy to help.

Exactly how many centimetres is 5.5 inches.

LAUGHTER

Amazing, isn't it?

You'd think some of these guys would step to his defence.

His leaders were all hanging from the same thin thread.

The joy of seeing an American president slip up.

It's irresistible.

'The pressure on Bill Clinton to testify before the grand jury

'intensified today with the announcement of a deal

'between Monica Lewinsky and Kenneth Starr.'

Monica Lewinsky is reportedly telling prosecutors

'she and the President talked about how to conceal their relationship.'

'This is what the president is desperate to avoid.

'The indignity of appearing at a federal courthouse in Washington.

'Special prosecutor Kenneth Starr is playing a tough game.

'He's determined to question the President under oath

'and is backed by Mr Clinton's Republican opponents in Congress.'

Get me Kendall.

If Kenneth Starr does have additional information,

I think it could snowball into a real impeachment problem for the president.

Tell them I will testify.

I want the subpoena revoked and the right to have my lawyers present

and we do it in the White House.

'Reports suggest Monica Lewinsky has changed her story to admit

'there was an affair. She's turned over to the special prosecutor tapes of phone calls from the president,

'and a dress, possibly stained, that may help prove the relationship.

'Today her lawyer denied information about the dress had been

'leaked either by him or her other lawyer.

'The White House claims much of this is unsubstantiated rumour

'but the FBI confirmed to me today, it has received the dress from Kenneth Starr...'

Are you awake?

I am now.

I need to, uh, tell you about the situation.

It's much more serious than I let on.

When?

I'm going to say in my testimony...

..that there...

..was something inappropriate...

..about that relationship.

I was asked questions about my relationship with Monica Lewinsky.

While my answers were legally accurate,

I didn't volunteer information.

Indeed, I did have a relationship with Miss Lewinsky that was not appropriate.

I'd like to know the distinction between legally accurate and big fucking lie.

I can only tell you I was motivated by many factors.

First, by a desire to protect myself from the embarrassment

of my own conduct.

I was also very concerned about protecting my family.

The fact that these questions...

What are you going to say?

I don't know.

Maybe nothing.

-Well, they'll expect a statement.

-Saying what?

I am all too aware I look foolish, because of my public support for the president.

That I find all this excruciatingly embarrassing.

That I feel I have no option, but to stand by him.

I think not.

Our country has been distracted by this matter for too long.

And I take responsibility for my part.

Do you think she'll ever leave him?

Would you leave me?

No, but I'd make your life hell.

CLINTON ON TV: And so tonight, I ask you to turn away from the spectacle

of the past seven months, to repair the fabric of our national

discourse and to return attention to all the challenges

and all the problems of the next American century.

Thank you for watching and good night.

How do you want to do this? You first, me a few steps behind?

Together?

I want us to do this together.

Whether or not that's possible, I don't know.

I have to find my way through this in my own time.

By myself.

OK?

OK.

How do I look?

Incredible.

PRESS CLAMOUR

-So, what are his chances?

-Surviving impeachment? I'd say 50-50, at best.

His approval rating's gone right down the toilet.

Even if he does survive, his party'll take such a pounding

-in the midterms it'd be gridlock.

-He's a lame duck president.

Which of course presents the chance for others to shine.

He's still our strongest ally and the best hope we've got of seeing things through in Kosovo.

Evil triumphs when good men do nothing.

We can all sit here and throw our hands are up and say, "Hey,

"what does what's happening in Kosovo got to do with us?"

Ethnic cleansing, systematic rape, mass murder.

No one in the West who has seen what's happening in Kosovo

can doubt NATO's military action is justified.

20 years ago, we'd not have been fighting in Kosovo.

We'd have turned our backs on it, but we're a community,

what happens in one part of Europe affects every other part.

And there's only one place to be and that's in the thick of it, trying to sort it out.

'Following a further upsurge in violence, the UN Security Council

'issued a resolution demanding an end to Serbian action in Kosovo and

'putting 500 aircraft under Wesley Clark, NATO's supreme commander.'

'Faced with the threat of a unified NATO, Slobodan Milosevic has backed down.'

'President Clinton's personal envoy Richard Holbrooke has

'negotiated a ceasefire with the Yugoslav president who has agreed to reduce troop numbers

'and to allow 2,000 unarmed observers into the province.'

It's not enough, Bill.

NATO's agreement could fall apart at any second and the Russians

are only going along with it to keep up appearances.

Milosevic isn't fooled by any of it.

Look at you, baby brother, stepping up to the roulette table.

He's waiting us out.

Meanwhile, winter is coming and hundreds of thousands

of displaced people need to get back to their villages.

As far as I can tell, the ceasefire is holding.

We have observers on the ground watching his every move, he tries...

Look what he's done to his own people, you think he cares

about a bunch of observers without a gun between them?

It's just a matter of time.

What do you want me to say, Tony?

Well...

Unless we back up the threat of air strikes with a willingness

to put men on the ground, I just...

don't see how he can take us seriously.

Look, I hate Milosevic as much as the next guy,

but sending troops into a sovereign state that hasn't attacked us,

that's a pretty tough sell to Congress and the American people

-and I like to think I'm a pretty good salesman.

-Bill...

I know why you want to do this.

I understand your ambition, you want to take a step up.

But that dog just won't hunt.

I want to do it because it's the right thing to do.

We both want to do the right thing.

-And mobilising NATO is the right thing to do.

-But Bill...

In case you haven't noticed, there's people over here looking

-to get me impeached.

-I'm very much aware of that.

If we don't do this now, I guarantee we'll be forced to do it later.

Let me be clear, until Milosevic does something

that proves he violates the deal on the table, we do nothing.

You could hardly be surprised, politically his hands are tied.

Maybe physically too, if Hillary's got anything to do with it.

But he's the one who talked about legacy.

It could really help to sort things out if he did the right thing over this.

Being seen to be doing something is completely different to

actually doing it.

Thatcher always said, no point being here if we don't do things.

-Big things.

-Please don't start again on Thatcher.

The lives of those people depend on the whim of an insane tyrant

and we have the power to change that.

If Bill won't - or can't - then it's up to me.

Right, come on, Winston. Parents evening.

-Thank you, Marcus.

-What's the maths teacher's name?

-Humberstone. Paul.

Hello, Headmaster.

'On a hillside above a village in Kosovo...'

45 people hacked to death by Serbian paramilitaries right under

-the noses of the observers.

-I know, I saw the news.

Every station in the world is showing the same footage.

We've got to stop fiddling around the edges and prove to Milosevic we mean business.

If we don't there's going to be more massacres, more refugees,

but people over here don't get that.

All they want to know is, is this a war America should be fighting?

If we do go in, bomb the hell out of Milosevic, what happens

if all we wind up doing is pissing him off and he ramps up his assault on Kosovo?

We don't even have a guarantee if NATO does go in,

air strikes will do any good.

How long are you going to keep going around on this?

Until you tell me it's the right thing to do.

It's the right thing to do.

And you don't need me to tell you that.

No,

but it sure does make me feel better hearing you say it.

'The Serbs say they shot several dozen terrorists in uniform

'but these men wear no uniform and received no hearing

'from the police who separated them from women and children...'

-Hello?

-Are you watching this?

-I am.

-This shit is bad.

Yes, it is.

OK, bombing from 15,000 feet.

I'll tell my guys to tell NATO we're in.

'"Look what they've done," she cries. It's a massacre.

'In the obscene way, these men and boys have died as a kind of proof...'

Get me the Secretary of State for Defence

and the Chief of Defence Staff.

Yes, I know what time it is.

'NATO's attack on Yugoslavia long threatened is tonight under way

'with massive force.'

'The stealth fighter-bombers led the way for an attack that has

'tonight put the Western alliance at war with Yugoslavia.'

We've learned twice before in this century,

that appeasement does not work.

If we let an evil dictator rage unchallenged, we'll have to spill

infinitely more blood and treasure to stop him later.

This isn't a battle for territory,

it's a battle for humanity.

It is a just cause!

'In response to NATO air strikes, Milosevic's forces have stepped up

'their campaign to drive Kosovan Albanians from Serbia

'leaving hundreds of thousands homeless.'

Refugees appear, of course, as a result of bombing

and everybody knows it.

-Where will you go now?

-I don't know.

Mostly I would like to go back to my home and to live normal like...

Like all the Europeans do, because we're a part of Europe.

'Today, Tony and Cherie Blair came to see the situation themselves

'to witness the scale of the humanitarian crisis for which many

'nations throughout the world are increasingly taking NATO to task.'

Just to see these people...

Completely innocent people who have been forced from their homes

mercilessly at the point of a gun.

Some of them, as we were hearing, have faced... unspeakable horrors.

I just feel we have a duty to ensure they can return

to their homes in peace.

Do you have a message for the people of Kosovo?

We will not let you down.

As civilian casualties from NATO bombings continue to mount,

European leaders are coming under increasing pressure to justify

the military campaign against the Serbs.

Stop the war! Stop the bombing!

This is a nightmare.

We've bullied the EU into this and we've made matters worse.

The air campaign simply isn't working, not as currently configured.

It's too half-hearted. The list of approved targets is too limited.

It's done nothing to impede Milosevic's ability to wage war.

All we've really done is rally to the Serbs.

Milosevic is looking like a hero,

because he's stood up to Western aggression, we look like fools.

We're losing the PR campaign, Tony.

Unless NATO is prepared to step up the bombing

and commit to ground troops, we could lose this thing.

NATO will never commit. Not without Clinton.

I know you're committed to intensifying the air campaign but

I'm here to ask you to also commit to a ground invasion into Kosovo.

To resolve this situation once and for all.

Unless we do so, I am of the firm opinion that Milosevic will persist

in believing that NATO will lack the will to finish what it started.

Strategically, we have two options.

The first, a limited invasion of 80,000 troops to drive Serb forces

out of Kosovo and create safe havens for refugees to return.

Secondly, a general invasion of Serbia itself with 200,000 troops

bringing about the total overthrow of the Milosevic regime.

And we'd favour the former. A smaller invasion, a mobile force,

air units, parachuted into...

Howard...

If we do what you're suggesting, people will interpret it

as an admission on our part of the failure of our air campaign,

so politically it's a non-starter right there.

Also, the minute you put our troops into Milosevic's territory,

you're fighting on his terms, in his backyard, handing him a huge advantage.

With the bombing, we keep our distance,

limit the risk yet still maintain our advantage.

But the bombing isn't working.

We all know that.

Even in your limited invasion scenario, we'd have to call up

reservists for a conflict in a place most Americans don't know exists.

I really don't understand your hesitancy.

We're staring a wholesale human catastrophe in the face.

You'll send over as many troops as you expect us to?

Well, that's not possible, as you well know, given the relative size

-of our army, our resources.

-We get the point, Prime Minister.

You're ready to fight to the last American.

We have to win this.

I've made a promise.

Politically, I've really stuck my neck out here.

Why don't we step outside for a moment?

The two of us.

Let me get this straight, you want me to spend billions

of dollars of American taxpayers' money and lose American lives?

This is a battle between good and evil.

Between civilisation and barbarity.

The intervention and removal of evil dictators is our duty -

-our Christian responsibility.

-Christian responsibility?

For a centre-left Democrat,

you're beginning to sound an awful lot like Jerry Falwell.

And what about the repercussions?

Civilian casualties from a ground campaign could be even greater

than those caused by air and bombs, without, in my estimation,

enhancing our prospects for victory.

-Nothing could have more serious consequences than being defeated in Kosovo.

-Losing is not an option.

I am committed to winning this thing

and I will do whatever it takes to make sure that happens.

Now, if you want to talk about sending in ground troops,

at some future date, fine.

But we keep it between ourselves. Off the record.

On the record, here's what I'm saying so listen up.

NATO won't go for ground troops and neither will I.

Of course they don't care, half of them don't know where bloody Yugoslavia is!

-This could be the end of me.

-Come on, Tony...

-I'm serious, Alistair.

I'm completely out on a limb here.

If we don't win this thing, I'm the one who'll answer for it.

Why not take Clinton up on his offer to start quietly

working on a ground invasion as an interim measure.

Because I don't believe him.

He's lied to everybody else, why should he be telling me the truth?

No, no! Bollocks to that.

-It's the Chicago speech tomorrow, right?

-Yeah.

-I want you to beef it up a bit.

I want us to put his back right up against the wall.

Hang on a minute, are you sure this is what you want to be doing?

This could really backfire on us.

I want every right-wing hack with an axe to grind

about the moral bankruptcy of this administration to be there.

Front row seats!

No one who has seen what's happening in Kosovo can doubt NATO's

military action is justified.

And that military action will continue

until Milosevic is defeated absolutely.

Success is the only exit strategy I am prepared to consider.

We are witnessing the beginnings of a new

doctrine of international community.

Many nations working hand-in-hand cooperating on issues that

confront us all.

You are the most powerful country in the world

and it must be difficult and occasionally irritating to be

the recipient of every demand, to be called upon in every crisis.

The cry, "What's it got to do with us?" must be regularly heard on the lips of your people.

Yet the nations with the greatest power have the greatest responsibility.

We need you engaged.

I say to you, never fall again for the doctrine of isolationism.

The world can't afford it. And realise that in Britain you have

a friend that will stand with you and fashion with you, the design

for a future built on peace and prosperity for all

which is the only dream that makes humanity worth preserving.

-Thank you.

-CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Whah! Too slow.

Only me. "All hail, King Tony" - Chicago Tribune.

"Why don't we have a president like Tony Blair?" - New York Times.

"Blair shows courage while White House vacillates" - Washington Post.

"Listening to the British Prime Minister in Chicago last night,

"one couldn't help thinking how much President Clinton could learn

"from his Churchillian younger colleague.

"Both these men talk the talk,

"the difference is, behind closed doors, Blair actually walks it too."

Wall Street Journal.

Wow! You must have been up all night writing those.

In terms of public approval, you are the number one leader

in the world right now.

'Leaders of the NATO powers convened in Washington today to debate

'the worsening situation in Kosovo.'

'...the determination of NATO to stay the course.

'Some members suggesting they might be having second thoughts...'

'...the celebration of NATO's 50th birthday

'but it's expected to be given over to discussions on Kosovo.'

Give the Prime Minister and me a moment, will you?

-Who would have guessed?

-What?

What a tough little son of a bitch you turned out to be.

Stabbing me in the back in my own front yard, that takes balls.

My head was on the block. You gave me no choice.

The way I see it, your head is still on the block,

and I still have a choice.

-That's not what your papers suggest.

-Oh, that's right.

"All hail, King Tony."

Ground troops, are you in?

Maybe you ought to ask yourself this question.

What kind of a king begs others to do his fighting for him?

Well, if we act now we can end the fighting.

'With its pledge to do what ever it takes to prevail in Kosovo,

'NATO agreed to expand its bombing campaign against Serbia.

'Assured by NATO's resolve and the increasing effectiveness

of the air strikes, President Clinton publicly announced

'the US will consider all military options to resolve the conflict.'

'Under intense pressure from the Clinton administration,

'a Russian delegation flew to Belgrade to deliver

'an ultimatum to President Milosevic.

'Remove all troops from Kosovo or risk losing

'the support of Boris Yeltsin - his one remaining ally.'

(WILLIAM HAGUE) This job would become, in not so many years,

a far more substantial one than the government now pretends.

Seen as the President of Europe by the rest of the world... LAUGHTER IN COMMONS

Tony.

The Yugoslav parliament has conceded.

All Serbian troops are to be immediately withdrawn.

A NATO-led peacekeeping force is to be deployed in the region.

Kosovo is to be placed under UN administration.

Of course Clinton will claim it was his strategy that forced

Milosevic's hand, we'll claim it's ours, but either way now it's over.

We've won.

You've won.

This is a victory for civilisation.

A victory for a fundamental principle necessary

for humanity's progress that every human being has

the inalienable right to live free from persecution.

Milosevic knows, and the world now knows,

we will not tolerate racial genocide.

Let no-one ever doubt again, the moral justification

for invading another country for humanitarian ends.

'Here in the hills of Kosovo they cheer his name

'but Tony Blair was always going to get a hero's welcome.'

'The polls have closed and the First Lady of the United States of America,

'Hillary Rodham Clinton, has defeated congressman Rick Lazio

'and will become the junior senator from New York.'

'Al Gore and George W Bush are men in waiting today.'

We still don't know who won the presidency, we may not know until tomorrow...'

'President Clinton accompanied by his wife headed to the British

'Prime Minister's country residence, a farewell celebration

'between two men who shared political philosophies...'

MOBILE PHONE RINGS

-Oh, I'm so sorry. I really do have to take this.

-Of course.

What did I get?

Environment and public... What happened to foreign relations...?!

I think I'll turn in.

Excuse me.

I can't get over how much those kids have grown.

-Good night, Tony.

-Good night.

Bill...

While we've got a moment, I'd like to...

Well, I'd like to apologise to you for what happened over Kosovo.

Briefing against you in your own media. It was out of order.

In the years I've known you, you've been a good friend to me personally.

You've been loyal to my party. And a great ally to this country.

In the end, I got all the credit, credit we should have shared.

It was wrong. I was wrong. I'm sorry.

That's bullshit, you don't mean a word of that.

You saw the papers the weekend after Milosevic withdrew.

7/10 Americans said they'd like Tony Blair as their president.

Handsome, energetic, churchgoing, morally upstanding.

Maritally faithful.

-Are you sure you weren't born in America?

-Scotland.

That's too bad, cos you'd win by a landslide.

Good evening, the opera, at times, farce, is over. The fat lady has sung.

The final Supreme Court verdict has persuaded Al Gore to give up.

He's finally accepted his long legal battle has nowhere else to go.

Let there be no doubt, while I strongly disagree with

the court's decision, I accept it and tonight,

for the sake of our unity as a people

and the strength of our democracy,

I offer my concession.

Prime Minister.

-You asked to be woken.

-Thank you.

Thanks again.

GEORGE BUSH: Our country has been through a long and trying period

with the outcome of the presidential election not finalised

for longer than any of us could ever imagine.

After a difficult election, we must put politics behind us

and work together to make the promise of America

available for every one of our citizens.

Our nation must rise above a house divided, Americans share hopes and

goals and values far more important than any political disagreements.

I have a lot to be thankful for tonight.

I'm thankful to the American people for the great privilege

of being able to serve as your next president.

What are you going to do? With Bush?

I know what everyone wants me to do.

Back off. Concentrate on domestic politics.

Deepen ties with Europe.

It's not what I asked you. What do YOU want to do?

I still want to get things done, Bill.

And I know he's not on the same team as us but...

I'd rather be IN the room where the big decisions are being made,

than outside it whingeing about it.

I would be the senior partner now. Bush would be the junior.

I could help him like you helped me, advise him.

I just want to do the right thing for my country.

Are you sure about that?

It's in my country's best interests, quite possibly the world's,

for me to stay close to the American President.

Well, you can sure move your bones.

Continue to use the White House to stay in the spotlight,

consolidate yourself as a leader and expand your legacy.

I'm not sure how to take that, Bill.

-It felt vaguely like an insult.

-It's true, isn't it?

Come on, we both know the best way to ensure you're remembered 50

or 100 years from now, is to link yourself to an American President.

But be careful.

These guys, they play rough.

Their administration has been born in controversy, national shame

and illegality and it is my bet that's the way they'll go out.

So, the question you need to ask yourself is...

What business does a progressive centre-left politician

from a tiny island in Europe have making friends with folks like that?

Then again, I'm not sure

whether you ARE a progressive centre-left politician any more.

Or if you ever were.

I'm going to say good night.

I might sleep late, I hope you don't mind. I'm tired. I need the rest.

Go ahead. Sleep as long as you like.

-10 minutes, over. Pre-flight go?

-Yeah, we've got clearance.

Me too, George. Absolutely, me too.

-When are you going to be sworn in?

-Three weeks.

After eight years with a title and no portfolio,

finally you'll have both.

Let me know what it's like.

Waking in the morning, knowing you're speaking for yourself.

-I will.

-In you go, Senator!

-Oh, Bill, for heavens sake!

-Just practising, hun.

Isn't she something?

The only First Lady in US history to win elected office.

Euan, Katherine, behind the wall.

Up you go.

So, after our little talk, did you decide which way to jump yet?

Hug him close, go for glory or do the right thing and head for home?

Not yet.

Well, I guess I'll have to be like everybody else,

just watching the press conference on TV.

-Scrutinising the body language for tell-tale signs.

-Yes, you will.

I guess so.

Goodbye, Tony.

Goodbye, Mr President.

Yes, just leaving now. Yes, I've got it in hand. Yes.

All right, see you then. Get hold of John and tell him...

HELICOPTER DROWNS SPEECH

It is my honour to welcome the Prime Minister from our