only british prime minister in the 20th century to serve three consecutive terms. in 1990 after a leadership struggle within her own party, thatcher was forced to resign. though no longer on the front lines, thatcher still had political sway as baroness thatcher sitting in the upper chamber of the house of lords. later in life as her health deteriorated, public appearances became rare. but thatcher s reputation was already set as a dominant figure of the 20th century whose influence is still being felt today. i m sandra endo, reporting. as we said, lady thatcher played such a big role in great britain, but also an iconic figure here in the united states, as well, particularly for members i think of the republican party. we re joined now by mary bono mack and connie mack, both former members of congress, both republicans. and connie, let me ask you because your father was a member of congress in the house and senate during the 1980s.
than any relationship between any other british prime minister and any other american president. thatcher convinced reagan that mikhail gorbachev was a soviet leader that could do business with. he was willing to admit that some things were wrong in the soviet union, which was very unusual. and reagan backed the prime minister in britain s 1982 faulkland s war with argentina. the conflict cost 255 british lives and cemented thatcher s reputation as a resolute leader. the prime minister never expects top send people into battle. i was agonized over it. you couldn t leave our people captive. thatcher was the only british prime minister to serve three consecutive terms. in 1990 after a leadership struggle within her own party, thatcher was forced to resign. though no longer on the frontlines, thatcher still had political sway as barroness thatcher, sitting in britain s upper chamber, the house of lords. later in life as her health deteriorated public appearances
what do you think that means for the u.s.? i think it s important to have a president who understands this region of the world. there will and period of uncertainty. you have a 29-year-old who is going to try to prove himself and that will take a while. in true north korean fashion, there will be outlandish behavior and we ll be wondering what it s all about. but behind the scenes there will be a leadership struggle going on. the united states needs to be in close and careful consultations with our allies, south korea and japan and dialogue with russia and china. we also have to have a better understanding 60 of the inherent risks involved with a fragile nation state. where the nukes are. alisyn: you put out a statement saying we should apply all available pressure points to
you can even defend him if you want to. there you have it. who is in charge of al qaeda right now, jobe? the death of bin laden sets up an interesting leadership struggle because we have the number one or number two, rather, a presumed successor, but it s not at all clear that he is going to take the job. he doesn t have the makingtism certainly of bin laden, and he is not very popular. he is a bit of a jerk people say. it s hard to tell right now if he is going to get the job. it might go to someone else. do you think he will be offered the job? well, there are some folks within the jihadist community that say we don t need a number one. we sort of rule by consensus. we have the accounts to make decisions collectively, but the truth is they need a figure head. they ve lost the big one. none of the others that have suggested as possible suggestions, zawahiri and rahman and people say who? people don t know these people. al qaeda members swore loyalty