Obama can heal rift with Europe

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has urged President-elect Barack Obama to help heal the rift between Europe and America. Blair says he believes Obama could take the lead on issues such as climate change, the Middle East peace process and African poverty, issues which the Bush administration is widely seen as having failed on.
However, speaking during a visit to Rwanda, he also warned that Obama would make demands on Europe and defend US interests. "There's a tremendous possibility for Obama to reach out and create a unifying agenda," Blair told an British newspaper.
The former Prime Minister, who now serves as a special envoy of the Quartet of the US, EU, Russia and the United Nations in the Middle East, added that Obama would want to work with Europe to ensure victory in Afghanistan and on measures to block Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Obama has also received an endorsement from Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin. She said America would be in safe hands if he "governs with the skill and grace of which he is capable".