Spaw's line is disproved by Thatcher's election and re-election (1979 and 83) which set the UK on a new course - which it is on still - in terms of the balance between self and state.

Would Clinton nor Bush would have had Rumsfeld in Defence (OK, Defense) and allowed his voice to drown out the State department?

Whistle Stop, this present president is surely proof that you don't need qualifications for the job - just the ability to amass funds and secure, by one means or another, the backing of big business. (The US press seems to have made little of the Texas scam whereby Junior turned in a profit of $15 million on an investment of $600,000.)

Doug, I don't remember Dubya going after Bin Laden when he was elected, whereas Clinton did at last bomb a medicine factory in the effort. The question I'd be asking is what if the US cops another 9/11? (Apart from mass emigration.) There must be more people wanting to see it happen now than a year ago, and no matter what defensive measures are taken, where there's a will there's a way.