Both men also sought to broaden the appeal of the Republican Party. Reagan attacked the growth of the federal government, but he did so in an unthreatening way and put a happy face on the GOP, bringing it to near parity with the Democrats. Bush is likable in his own way and bills himself as a "compassionate conservative," attempting to soften the edges of Reaganism while not breaking from its core principles of tax cuts, a strong military, and self-reliance.

Both were underestimated by opponents, which allowed them to exceed expectations. And both have been optimistic, even Panglossian, in their outlook. Like Reagan, Bush knows that Americans want their president to see the sunny side of life and boost the nation's confidence that its best years are ahead.

Finally, Bush portrays himself as a straight-talking westerner and a Washington outsider, just as Reagan did. Even their vacation preferences are comparable. Reagan spent nearly a full year of his two-term presidency at his ranch near Santa Barbara, Calif., riding horses, clearing brush, and relaxing with Nancy. Bush tours his 1,600 acres in Crawford, Texas, in a pickup, but he also clears brush and spends a lot of private time with his wife, Laura. If he is re-elected and keeps up his pace, Bush could match Reagan's total number of days at the ranch.

All this is remarkable because, while Bush met Reagan socially a few times during his father's vice presidency, he didn't consider him a mentor. Once he became commander in chief, however, Bush began to relish the similarities and call public attention to them, partly because he hopes to tap into Reagan's popularity among conservative Democrats.

Still, there are many differences between Reagan and Bush. One of the most striking is the 40th president's triumphant use of the bully pulpit. Reagan's 1984 speech on the 40th anniversary of D-Day, most observers agree, was far more compelling than Bush's 60th-anniversary remarks last week. This is part of a larger critique--that Reagan was much more adept at the stage management of the presidency, as orchestrated by his handlers. This was clear in the meticulous arrangements for his funeral, which gave the nation so many indelible images.

Bush, by contrast, is not in Reagan's league as a TV performer. He resists being "stage managed," a trait he shares with his father. Without a script to constantly guide his performance, Bush is susceptible to the kind of mangled locutions that have become reliable grist for the late-night talk shows.

Bush, his opponents contend, is more divisive than Reagan, who worked with congressional Democrats and tried to avoid making enemies. Bush, critics say, is too much of an ideologue in appealing to his conservative base, unable to make the pragmatic adjustments that served Reagan so well. This is most clearly seen in the current administration's policy toward Iraq. If the transition to a civilian government does not go well there, Bush may face a choice between admitting error, which he is loath to do, and sticking with a troubled policy that Americans increasingly oppose.

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