Blair goes YouTube - in French...

I am, grudgingly, rather impressed with Tony Blair's latest effort to embrace the cyberworld - he has recorded a video to welcome the new French President, in French, and posted it on Youtube for all to see.

When I looked, over 250,000 people had viewed it (though we dont know how many made it to the end).  You can make your own mind up by viewing it here.  Is Gordon Brown capable of doing the same thing?  Do feel free to post a comment.

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Comments

[Jo Gill]

Have just, rather belatedly, discovered this! I wonder if he wrote it himself? His grammar and vocabulary are suspiciously good and no doubt the French would find his accent quite charming! Nevertheless, it is 'a shining example' to our educators who are cutting down on language teaching, especially when one considers the multitude of French politicians who can converse freely in excellent English.

[Paddy Manning]

I am also rather grudgingly in admiration. Like the previous reader, I applaud Mr. Blair's success in recording a speech in French at a time when, not only schools, but Universities are axing language departments. As a recent External examiner in French at a University which completely closed its language department, I was horrified to be told by an administrator that it was indeed a pity, but "hopefully the fashion would swing back"... Fashion??
Paddy Manning (Mrs)

[BlairSupporter]

I am very impressed by Mr Blair ANYWAY - one of the reasons I set up a blog in his support, which I suppose has about ten days to run before it bites the dust like Mr Blair. I think he is probably our finest prime minister for decades, much as he is maligned here in the UK. He tells a great tale on the Parkinson show where his French wasn't quite up to the mark and he ended up saying he desired very much the French president, or something similar. Wonder if his French will help him if there's any truth in the EU presidency rumours?

À M. Blair - bonne chance dans que vous décidez de faire. S'il n'est pas dans la politique, je crois que vous serez une grande perte.

http://keeptonyblairforpm.wordpress.com/2007/06/14/blair-blasts-the-feral-beast-press/

[Eldepryl]

In terms of bonalnoy erudition - grammotno done!

[Igor]

Cool! Peshi ischo