the EU Constitution was, and remains, a separate issue from expansion.

That's indeed what it was meant to be. But why France and Holland voted no can be attributed to many reasons, among them a reaction against the understanding that Turkey would join the EU.
In a referendum, people far too often don't answer the question but rather to other ones and to the one who asks the question.
I'm in favor of Turkey joining the EU as it would lower the christian influence (more balance) and show that a muslim country can have a secular government where religion is separate from politics.
We're right now in a crisis and next week, Britain takes over the presidency of the EU. It's a chance for Blair to defend his concept of Europe.

Raoul