http://www.guardian.co.uk/uselections2004/story/0,13918,1294572,00.html
No 10's silent support for Kerry
Patrick Wintour, chief political correspondent
Wednesday September 1, 2004
The Guardian
John Kerry supporters in America have been told by Peter Hain that Downing Street is hoping the Democratic candidate wins the US presidential election in November.
Those who met him had the strong impression that he was acting with No 10's support, and that a Democratic victory was clearly sought. Such a supposition ought to be natural, but historic ties have been jolted by the strategic and sometimes personal alliance between George Bush and Tony Blair over Iraq. Mr Hain's visit may be seen by some as diplomatic ground-covering in the event of a Kerry victory.
When Kerry mentioned he had the support of "foreign leaders," most imagined the usual suspects who have not been too conciliatory toward the Bush administration. Yet despite Labour's natural affinity to the Democrats, the fact that Bush's most trusted foreign ally and "friend" is cheering on his opponent could and should somehow be further leaked, elevated, and exploited.
In public the government will remain studiously neutral. And some Blairites doubt that Mr Kerry has the campaign drive to defeat the incumbent.
But in a sign of frustration inside the Labour party over the government's neutrality, the Blairite group Progress is to issue a scathing attack on Mr Bush's record, although the group is sympathetic to the action in Iraq...
In an editorial in its journal of the same name next week, Progress says: "By his manner, his rhetoric and sometimes his actions George Bush has presented to the world an image of America that its friends know is not its true face. That is why those who recognise that American leadership is vital and a force for good in an uncertain world will wish John Kerry well."