Just four questions, few smiles and no jokes

At Camp David two years ago, Tony Blair's first meeting with George Bush was called the "Toothpaste summit" after the American President, pressed on what the two men had in common, revealed that they both used Colgate. Yesterday, the Prime Minister and the President tried to revive the old Colgate advert by exuding a "ring of confidence" that all was going well in Iraq.

But there were few smiles, no jokes and their mood was sombre. President Bush spoke in hushed tones at times. The only moment of passion inside the Camp David aircraft hangar came when an animated Mr Blair moved into full hand-waving mode to launch a passionate denunciation of the "brutal dictator" Saddam Hussein.

President Bush looked on approvingly, like a headmaster proud of his star pupil. He was laid back and leaning back from his podium, reminding me of a game show host rather than the Commander-in-Chief of a massive army in the Gulf. Just before the press conference started, the Tannoy had announced: "The programme will begin shortly."

The show was limited to just four questions from journalists and ran for less than its 30-minute slot. On Tuesday, Mr Blair's Downing Street press conference lasted for 65 minutes. The Prime Minister is like a boxer who challenges his press opponents to go another round, telling them: "I can go on as long as you want." In contrast, Mr Bush is an amateur at the press conference game: strictly three rounds and that's your lot.

The President plainly does not enjoy such events. He looked with disdain at the American reporter who dared to ask a question on everyone's lips: How long would the war last? Then he replied, very slowly: "However long it takes to win."

President Bush is still getting his eight hours' sleep a night and, apparently, is still having proper weekends. The working dinner at Camp David on Wednesday night was all over by 8.50pm. Mr Blair, however, has been existing on about four hours' sleep. Although he looked less washed out yesterday after his early night, it is showing in his chiselled, greying features.

The Prime Minister told journalists relations between Britain and America were "better and stronger" than they had ever been. In an attempt to show his commitment to the international community, he tagged on a quick meeting with Kofi Annan, the United Nations secretary general, after his two days with the US President. However, the meeting ran into a diplomatic hitch. Mr Annan, it seemed, was not amused by his invitation to an hour of talks in the VIP suite at JFK airport. So Mr Blair had to take a helicopter to the UN's headquarters in New York to avoid causing any offence. His campaign to create a "ring of confidence" about the United Nations in the Bush administration's minds is going to be a very tough job.