The US media largely ignores Tony Blair's evidence to the Chilcot inquiry, because Americans have lost interest in Iraq

Since the Chilcot inquiry discussed details of President Bush's thinking before the invasion of Iraq, you might assume that Tony Blair's appearance today would get wide coverage in the US media. But no.

There has been some coverage, of course: both the New York Times and NPR have given Blair's testimony detailed analysis. But otherwise, both mainstream outlets and the blogosphere have had little to say.

It's not because Americans are insular. In fact, Blair is one of the two living British politicians – the other being Margaret Thatcher – that most Americans can identify. The real reason is that the US public tuned out from the war in Iraq several years ago and show no sign of regaining any interest.



When separated from the "war on terror", the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have slid way down the US public's list of pressing issues – with the state of the economy firmly in first place.

A CNN poll this week showed "the situartion in Iraq" ranked eighth on a list of priorities for voters, behind the economy, unemployment, terrorism, the budget deficit, healthcare, education and the situation in Afghanistan.

The lack of interest spans both political wings. The Huffington Post website and Fox News cable channel found time to discuss comments by Argentine president Christine Kirchner that "pork consumption improves sexual activity... some nicely grilled pork is much more gratifying than taking Viagra", but both devoted little time to Blair's remarks. Fox showed a brief clip of the demonstrations outside the inquiry, while the HuffPost buried Blair deep on its front page, below "Bill Gates Mocks Berlusconi's Hair Transplant".

In fairness it's a busy news day in the US: the latest economic data showed an unusual burst of growth, and Scott Roeder, the anti-abortion activist who murdered Dr George Tiller, was convicted, as well as President Obama holding a televised meeting with Republicans.

The Wall Street Journal live-blogged the whole Blair event, while CNN's website – the most widely-read news site in the US – got its coverage on its front page, under the headline "Blair: I believed 45-minute weapons claim 'beyond doubt'".

There was good coverage on Firedoglake, the anti-war progressive blog, which panned Blair's testimony under the title The Poodle's Prevarications: