These days Bono is just as famous for his political awareness and involvement as for the music he makes with U2. Now former British prime minister Tony Blair says the singer could have been a politician if he hadn’t chosen to be a rocker instead.

Over the past few decades, Bono has put himself at the forefront of a number of worthy causes, most often having to do with developing nations and debt reduction, and has met with world leaders from every corner of the globe.

Blair writes in his new autobiography A Journey that, had Bono wanted, he could easily have been a world leader himself.

“(Bono) could have been a president or prime minister standing on his head,” Blair writes. “He had an absolutely natural gift for politicking, was great with people, very smart and an inspirational speaker… motivated by an abundant desire to keep on improving, never really content or relaxed.”

Blair notes that one of the keys to Bono’s success is his ability to treat others with respect, including figures often held in disdain by those on the left. Blair cites the surprise meeting between Bono and former U.S. president George W. Bush as a prime example.

“I knew he would work with George well,” he writes “And with none of the prissy disdain of most of his ilk.”

(Photo by PR Photos)

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