This has to be the best news Blair has gotten since he won his landslide victory for "New Labour" over a decade ago.

Even though Stone has promised a fair look at W's life, it's probably unlikely the portrayal of the president will be a flattering one, and Blair, having been referred to in the press at times as "Bush's poodle" is also unlikely to be cast in a positive light. His approval rating at the end was basically in the toilet, he faced criticism from those in his own political party and without, and then, of course, there was that unfortunate lap dog nickname. But Blair should look at it this way: Gruffudd himself is twenty years his junior, regard as something of a sex symbol, and well-known for playing heroic and/or romantic characters such as Sir Lancelot, Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic if you're nasty), and of course Horatio Hornblower, the role that probably first brought him to most people's appreciative attention. Who wouldn't want to be played by dashing, young Horatio Hornblower?

Just in case negotiations with Gruffudd somehow fall through, though, perhaps Blair could petition Stone to play the part himself. He could return to his showbiz roots (he played guitar in a rock band as a student) and reinvent himself as an actor. Nor would it be the first time he's played himself. The preference (of the audience and probably Blair) would be for the younger actor to take the part, but it's never too late to take up a new career in these uncertain times.