Bush's Third Term
The president hopes to put 2005 behind him--starting with the State of the Union
When visitors ask President Bush how he deals with pressure, he often points to a portrait of Abraham Lincoln gazing beatifically from a wall near his desk in the Oval Office. The painting, by artist George Henry Story, depicts a confident, serene Lincoln circa 1861, when the Union was embroiled in its struggle with the Confederacy. In tough times, Bush imagines what it was like to be commander in chief when the country was tearing itself apart, with brother killing brother and the survival of the United States at stake. Compared with that, Bush likes to say, he has it easy. What Bush admires about Lincoln, and tries to emulate, is the Great Emancipator's resolve and commitment to a cause--the fact that, as Bush told one guest, "he had such a clear vision about keeping this country united, in spite of the incredibly divisive times in which he lived."
Now Bush is trying to apply the lessons of Lincoln more seriously than ever as he embarks on what he hopes will be a fresh start for his presidency. Bush tells friends that despite the many setbacks of the past year, the country still wants him to provide strong leadership, and that's what he aims to do. But that also means being more realistic, Bush has concluded, so he is ready to trim his sails a bit.
"Last year we played big-ball politics, going for home runs," says a key Republican strategist. "This year will probably be drag bunts and singles." Adds a senior White House official: "We are a nation at war, and it's in this president's DNA to lay out a bold, aggressive vision and agenda--but we'll be realistic in what we ask the Congress to do during midterm elections." Some Bush strategists see 2006 as the start of Bush's "third term."They regard his first four years as a period of solid achievement that culminated in his re-election victory. They see 2005 as a "term" of its own, 12 months marked by disappointment. They hope '06 will start an upswing.
First off, White House strategists expect the Senate to easily confirm Samuel Alito for the Supreme Court in the next few weeks--a victory for Bush just when he needs one. But the real kickoff of 2006 will be the State of the Union address January 31. "The State of the Union will provide a good opportunity to focus on the president and his agenda," Republican National Chairman Ken Mehlman told U.S. News.
Bush will continue to argue that progress is being made against the insurgents in Iraq and that the domestic economy is strong. But Republican insiders say he will also emphasize a series of smaller proposals that they predict will find ready acceptance among voters. This replicates an approach that was successful for President Clinton, who regularly announced small-bore but popular initiatives, such as endorsing the use of school uniforms to enhance discipline and encouraging curfews for teenagers. The tactic helped Clinton stay connected to everyday Americans, which boosted his job-approval ratings even when other things went wrong.
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