Political Capital

After our Administration cost him most of his third-term power with the Invasion, Blair wants to cash in on some political capital in Washington in order to recoup some of his losses. Blair's hot-button topic? Africa.

The US was more generous last year than it has ever been toward Africa, giving $3.2 billion in foreign aid, or about $4.50 per sub-Saharan African. That's triple what it gave in 2000 - and is the most given by any nation.

But tomorrow in Washington British Prime Minister Tony Blair will ask President Bush for more - lots more. Mr. Blair wants rich countries to double their total aid to Africa to $25 billion a year.

Blair's plea, and Mr. Bush's resistance to it, highlight key gaps in their approaches. Blair's is fueled by a strong sense of moral obligation for rich nations to help poor ones - and a public more willing to spend government money on far-away problems. Bush aims to help generously on AIDS, but otherwise target aid where it won't be swallowed by corrupt or inept officials. It's one reason Washington gives foreign countries just 16 cents per $100 of gross domestic product, one of the rich world's lowest rates.

It shows a fundamental difference in the political games played on a global stage: When Bush needs major political assistence from Britain, it's to Invade. When Blair needs assistence, it's for aid.

Hm.