Tony Blair is one of the most unpopular prime ministers in recent memory for the U.K. Famous caricatures of him as President Bush's lapdog or servant were relatively common in the years following his support of the Iraq war. I remember several Britons telling me about celebrating when he finally stepped down. Now, he wants to be president of the EU. But only if "you give me the power".

This desire of Blair's occurs in the middle of an important change in the nature of the European Union itself. Some may remember the proposed European Constitution in 2005 that France and the Netherlands rejected. In 2007 a similar yet revised plan was put forward, variously called "The Lisbon Treaty", "The Reform Treaty", and "The Treaty Establishing The European Community". The proposed treaty would amend already existing treaties between EU nations and make the position of EU council president a position with real power behind it. The treaty would give the council president, among other things, power to intervene in trade and defense. Because of this and other powers the position is now being dubbed "President of the EU" by some.

An editorial in the Guardian explains about Blair:

But nonetheless Blair

And has already gotten the backing of French president Nicolas Sarkozy, who has been actively promoting Blair, according to a recent article in the Guardian.

One reason he seems to want the position is his reported unhappiness with his lack of position in the Israeli - Palestinian talks this year, despite being the Middle East envoy.

Oh, and he may be losing his job.

Fortunately, Blair himself doubts that the position's powers will be ratified by the EU and the position has two other possible candidates. Former Austrian chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel, backed by Germany, and the current Luxembourg prime minister, Jean-Claude Juncker.

Blair may just be staying true to his nature, which lusts for a key position in whatever he does, but those positions also seem to be the ones where he can do the most damage.