1/22/01 9:55 a.m.
The Son Also Rises
Clinton’s gone, but the weirdness continues.

By Robert A. George, an editorial page writer
for the New York Post------------------------------------RAGGEDmail@aol.com

erhaps fitting for the formal end of the Clinton presidential years, the inauguration of George W. Bush was just plain weird. The nation needs to transition into the "return to normalcy," but it appears that it might take a while.

Consider that an election decided in the Sunshine State ended up finally concluded with an inauguration covered in mist and fog.

Consider that during the introductory remarks, listeners got to hear a reference to "President and Senator Clinton" — not "President and First Lady Clinton." After all the months of the campaign in New York, after two months of the phrase "senator-elect" and now three weeks of her being in the actual job, it wasn't until this official reference that the bizarreness of Hillary Rodham Clinton being an actual senator actually sunk in. And, her title as "Senator Clinton" actually had precedence over First Lady. As far as the official proceedings of the nation's 54th inauguration was concerned, outgoing president Bill Clinton had no First Lady escorting him out of power — only a sitting senator.

Consider the new President Bush begins his remarks by recognizing the former chief executives attending the ceremony. "President Carter … President Bush…" Give Dubya credit for perfect timing on that. A knowing smile (not a smirk) crept over his face while noting his father. Chuckles from everyone could be heard as all got the joke. While it was funny, this moment added to the weirdness. The presidential baton now goes Bush-Clinton-Bush. What's next? Another Clinton? Another Bush? Jesse Jackson tried to urge the nation to "Stay out the bushes." Obviously, the nation chose not to heed his advice.

Then consider Mr. Lonely, Al Gore. Does anyone know what he's going to do? Does anyone even seem to care? As a comedian said Sunday night at a Washington charity concert, "While Clinton got to ride out on [the former] Air Force One, it looked like the only thing Gore got out of it was free cab ride back to Virginia." With a 54-year old Bill Clinton looking like he's going to run the Democratic party (through Terry McAuliffe), it doesn't seem like there's much room for Al Gore. Mr. Outside-Looking-In faces the ultimate coalition against him: The Bushes are back in power — and the Clintons are still in power!

Is this a great country or what?

Despite the weirdness, Bush's speech was good. Can't quite call it the best inaugural address in the last four decades as a couple of commentators have. It seemed to this writer as the speech was actually in two parts. The first half was superb, some of the best flowing oratory (though the delivery could have used some work) heard in a good while. But the second half seemed to have a bit too much pedestrian laundry list stuff in it. An inaugural should be about majestic themes and bright, shining visions. Talk about "reforming Social Security" and "reducing taxes" are words for campaigns and state of the union addresses. The inaugural address is a thematic exercise intentionally designed to draw the country together.

Tax cuts may be a correct policy decision, but they seem as out-of-place in an inaugural address. The same would hold true if a Democrat filled his address with "soak the rich" rhetoric. Speaking of the need to keep the economy at home strong and our defenses against aggressors abroad in broad terms seems a better way to convey the same point.

However, the speech still worked. It held together in ways that Bill Clinton's tended not to. Again, the beginning and passages immediately following were beautiful. The phrase, "The peaceful transfer of power is rare in history, but common in our country," was perfect. It could very well have been a mild allusion to the violence in the Congo and the Philippines. Of course, it could have been so many other nations at various times.

The alliterative themes that were woven throughout were wonderful: "courageous," "compassionate," "civility," "commitment," "character." Perhaps the glue that held the product together is that of the man who uttered them. These might not be original concepts, but with Bush there is still the sense of hope that these are words being uttered by a man who means them. George W. Bush might fail in his policy prescriptions (not to say he will), but he is not a man who will surrender his beliefs or his word easily. Half of a divided nation might not like this president's views, but he is owed a sense of trust. It is a gift that the man who just departed center stage squandered in so many ways.

In difficult circumstances, on a weird and wet day, the son has risen. The nation can now exhale.