In many ways, the partnership has worked that way: Bush sets the course, with Blair at his side occasionally urging a slight turn of the oar. For instance, Blair persuaded Bush to seek U.N. approval before attacking Iraq, and he intervened at crucial moments to get Bush to devote more attention to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In Britain, however, Blair's willingness to accommodate Bush made him the subject of ridicule, earning him the sobriquet "Bush's poodle." (WP)