But the Prime Minister also leaves behind a Britain that has been transformed over the past two decades into a top economic performer. More important, perhaps, Blair has helped create a political culture that is Europe’s healthiest.

Despite grumbling about the excesses of private equity and hedge funds, the City’s spectacular dealmaking showers wealth across the country.

The major dangers for the British economy are from the same risks stalking the U.S. It is possible that Britain could be hurt by a crunch in house prices, growing debt, and high budget deficits.

Through it all Tony Blair has been an amazingly successful Prime Minister. His party once an opponent of business is probably even more favorable towards business then the Tories.

He has done wonders for the country and should be commended. His decision to fight terror alongside the USA is to be commended, because despite the rancor its created, it has also been a hard problem that finally needed someone with courage to deal with it.

George Bush and Tony Blair will go down in History together. Who wins is who will write the history Books. But it will be Tony Blair and George Bush much as it was Winston Churchill and FDR. They are and will forever be indelibly linked.

Damn shame, too.