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cover story a recent issue of National Review (July 19) had
an essay by Ramesh Ponnuru entitled, "The Sins of the Father: How
'43' Can Avoid The Mistakes of '41'." It was a world of advice for
George W. Bush, suggesting how not to become his famous father.
And how does Dubya respond to NR's heartfelt suggestion?
By heading north to spend his 55th birthday at the Bush family retreat,
playing golf with Dad and brother Jeb.
If that weren't bad enough, the newswire stories Friday were: "Bush
and Father A Comedy Team on Golf Course" and "Bush May Put Further
Tax Cuts On Hold." What kind of jokes should we have anticipated
on the links? "Read my lips: No new tax cuts!" Yikes!
Geez, all this New England family lovin'! No wonder the president
and Sen. Ted Kennedy have been able to collaborate a little too
well on the education bill: Whether we're talking Hyannisport, Massachusetts
or Kennebunkport, Maine, it's summer in "Compound City," man!
This is good-natured jibing, of course, but it does underscore a
problem facing the president — one we've seen before.
In January 2000, weeks before the New Hampshire primary, the Bush
family descended upon the Granite State en masse. Perhaps the most
awkward moment of the entire campaign came when former President
George Bush urged voters to support "our boy." Shortly thereafter,
McCain crushed Dubya in the primary. In retrospect, the Bush family
visit was problematic in two ways. For one thing, it diminished
the presidential candidate who didn't exactly do well in being called
"boy" in front of prospective voters by his notably taller father
— even if dad was the former commander-in-chief. Secondly,
politically, the comparison was politically awkward to the elder
Bush who was, on the one hand, a veteran and on the other hand somewhat
squishy ideologically. Finally, it crystallized a sense that Bush
had been coasting during the run-up to the primary, while McCain
had camped down in New Hampshire and was working the state in overtime.
The awkward links to the administration of "41" extend in other
areas as well — such as "running-mate issues."
Dick Cheney is clearly the administration's greatest asset has now,
but has now, unfortunately, created the same cloud over Bush administration
II that lingered over Bush administration I: Who will be on the
ticket when the president runs for reelection? Under "41," the question
revolved around Dan Quayle — media-generated speculation that
the man was not experienced enough to become president. Ironically,
one reason why Bush I picked Quayle in the first place was to project
a sense of energy and youth as the first baby boomer on a presidential
ticket.
Cheney, in turn, was selected to counteract similar preparadness
concerns about Dubya — while leaving no question that he could
step into the job himself if circumstances required. No one doubts
Cheney's experience. However, his on-going heart condition now creates
speculation that he will not be fit for another term. Thus, ironically,
Dan Quayle exacts a certain sort of revenge upon this administration
— another round of succession questions.
Given this backdrop, and that the past is prologue, the last weekend
at Kennebunkport suggests that this White House is nowhere near
as poll-driven as the Clinton one. According to Dick Morris, Bill
and Hillary would poll to see where they should vacation. Had Bush
done that, he might have learned that it might not have been so
wise to be running to his folks place for a vacation — especially
since he's sandwiching this birthday between two European trips.
Remember, the — admittedly unfair — accusation that "41"
was more interested in vacationing and spending time abroad than
taking care of his agenda at home?
No, not everything should be seen through a political prism, but
it's foolish to completely ignore the political ramifications of
certain personal decisions. Bush is not exactly riding high in the
polls right now. The Democratic Senate has come off a big win in
passing the Patient's Bill of Rights and Tom Daschle feels that
he's tactically in the driver's seat. (Ironically, Cheney's "pacemaker-plus"
operation was announced the same day the PBOR passed — creating
too-cute comparisons about whether HMOs would approve such a device
for the average patient).
In one sense, all of this is background noise: Bush is just midway
during his first year. Polls aside, he's more than fifteen months
from the congressional mid-term elections. There's a whole lot of
time before he can be considered in serious political trouble. He
was elected, partially because of how he would distinguish himself
from Bill Clinton. It seems clear that he must still do more to
distinguish himself from his father. That means, at the very least,
next time, he should invite the folks down to Crawford for vacation.
Oh, yeah, and read his National Review, too.
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