“Often in error, never in doubt" is the motto of the professional pundit. Today's UK election is deeply troubling to conservative Washington pundits; even now, most of us cannot answer the simple question, "Should Tony Blair win or lose?"

Mr Blair has been as staunch a friend as the US has in the world. Throughout the war on terror, he has been brave, eloquent, thoughtful and incredibly helpful. A Blair victory would be interpreted around the world as a vindication of the Bush-Blair policy in Iraq.