THE WAY:

Bush's way: a taker of big, bold risks: A president who, for better or worse, has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to wield the powers of office. (Peter Grier, 9/02/04, CS Monitor)

He takes the stage at Madison Square Garden Thursday night as a politician in full - a president who, for better or worse, has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to wield the powers of office.

From fiscal to foreign policy, Bush's four years have been marked by bold - some would say foolhardy - initiatives. If reelection campaigns are usually about the incumbent, then the 2004 vote may hinge on how Americans feel about this Texas gambler style of leadership.

It's ironic, in a way. By becoming an un-Yankee, he's positioned himself to surpass the achievements of his aristocratic Yankee forebears.

"Bush's most important asset is his very focused and distinct personality," says Stephen Cimbala, a political science professor at Penn State University in Media, Pa. "You may agree or disagree with his positions on various public- policy matters, but you know where he stands." [...]

Bush relatives judged George W. to be wild, but also "the smart one," according to historian Herbert S. Parmet, a George H.W. Bush biographer. And it was George W. as a young adult who served a political apprenticeship under his dad. He was assigned to keep an eye on the mercurial, aggressive political consultant Lee Atwater, for instance. And as the elder Bush's term in office wound down, it was George W. who noticed the strain in his father's face and discussed with him whether he should stand for reelection.

"I don't know that he will run again," George W. told associates at the time, according to Mr. Parmet. "There's a good chance that he won't."

Ultimately the father did run, of course. Now the son is too - and to all accounts he didn't inherit that reluctance to try for a second term.

In fact, one word experts use over and over again to describe Bush's political leadership style is "aggressive." Just look at the timeline: Barely elected to office in 2000, Bush would have to govern from the center, said pundits. He didn't. Faced with predictions that his tax cut would unleash a flood of red ink, he would have to trim it, according to many commentators. Scratch that - it passed largely intact. He'd never be able to invade Iraq in the face of international opposition, judged some experts. Then he did - despite hints that his own father thought it a bad idea.

"He is decisive, and he takes risks," says Marc Landy, a Boston College political scientist and author of a book on presidential greatness.

On the stump, Bush himself offers up his clarity of vision as the reason he should get four more years. But one person's clarity is another's stubbornness, and it is precisely the president's refusal to look back that drives many of his opponents wild.

Yeah, that looking forward business is sure an unbecoming quality in a leader.

MORE:
For Bush, a chance to tip the balance (Peter S. Canellos, September 2, 2004, Boston Globe)

The polls, which have seesawed in a small range all summer, portend a combative fall campaign, with a clear opportunity for Democratic challenger John F. Kerry. But Bush, perceived by more voters as a strong leader, can change the balance by outlining a clear second-term agenda, according to GOP delegates and independent pollsters interviewed over the past three days.

Tonight's nationally televised acceptance speech will be Bush's best opportunity to answer persistent concerns about the fairness of his tax policies and his efforts to stabilize Iraq, the delegates and pollsters said.

The Bush campaign "has been telling us repeatedly that he's going to outline an agenda for a second term, and he needs to do it," said Adam Clymer, political director of the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg National Election Survey, whose most recent poll released yesterday shows growing approval of Bush's leadership but skepticism about his policies on the economy, Iraq, and health care.

"If all he's doing is running on his accomplishments of the first term when there is a lot of dissatisfaction on the economy and Iraq, it's going to be very difficult for him," said Clymer, a former political reporter for the New York Times. [...]

Bush's aides yesterday offered few details of his acceptance speech, but the president has returned in recent days to some of the "compassionate conservative" themes of his campaign four years ago. He says government can help promote economic security through programs to encourage home ownership, medical savings, and Social Security investment.

Anyone think he's going to dwell on the first term?

Posted by Orrin Judd at September 2, 2004 9:21 AM