People underestimate Boris because he conveys a bumbling manner. However, not only is he a journalist he also made a VERY successful job of running the Spectator (circulation and profits up) and is very well regarded by his constituents in Henley.
He is also that rare commodity in politics - a character. I do hope he wins the mayoral election and I also applaude his comments in the aforementioned article.
For the record, I think most of the British public can successfully separate their support for the troops from their lack of belief in "the crusade" (to quote Dubya). I just don't think that as a nation we are big on homecoming parades.