2/01/01 5:00 p.m.
Eyes on the Ball
Bush’s winning strategy.

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

ne media individual was known to ask a conservative writer this week, "What's going on with Bush? He hasn't said or done anything dumb yet?" This particular individual held no particular animus to the president. However, he had not-so-unconsciously bought into the stereotype of Bush (Saturday Night Live is still using this image as Will Ferrell portrays the chief executive as a blithering idiot). Then, a slightly more sanguine member of the media commented about the Bush operation to the same conservative writer, "The psychodrama is over. We're just going to have to get back to covering normal stuff with these guys."

The words were said, not out of a particular nostalgia for the Clinton era, but a simple, honest recognition. Of course, this doesn't stop the media from demonstrating their confusion over the new regime. Sunday, more than a few stories had headlines that began, "Bushes Sing and Clap in Black Church." The tone was something in the variety of "Man Bites Dog." No details on whether George and Laura managed to stay on the beat as they clapped.

The confusion is somewhat understandable. To be honest, a few conservatives have been grasping to find things to criticize. Not much there. In the first eleven days, the Bush administration has certainly demonstrated a valuable lesson that the New York Giants (34-7 losers after caving to the Baltimore Ravens) didn't quite pick up on in this past weekend's Super Bowl. The lesson is: Stick with your plan and keep your eye on the ball. The Clintons provided excellent examples of what not to do in the weeks after the '92 election and '93 inauguration. After promising to focus on the economy, "like a laser beam," Clinton jumped into the gays-in-the-military controversy. The particulars of the issue aside, getting into a war with Congress — which your own party controls — 48 hours after you're in office is not a wise move.

The Clintons never really recovered during the first couple of years and the foundation for the Republican 1994 election rout was set.

In contrast, Bush II has been a well-oiled machine: Week One, roll out the education plan. Week Two, introduce the faith-based services initiative. Throw out a Medicare reform bill too. But while the Ravens destroyed the Giants with all-out aggressive defense, Bush and Co. have used an all-out charm offensive. While George W. Bush may not be able to match Clinton (or Reagan for that matter) in conveying his message in large addresses, he seems to more than make up for it in one-on-one meetings and small groups. As long as Bush and Co. follow this lesson, they should do well.

In doing so, they should permit Congress to do its job, but avoid being completely drawn into the turf wars that the legislative chamber creates. Both the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee under Dan Burton and the Senate Judiciary Committee under Orrin Hatch have made noises about investigating the Clinton pardon-a-thon. The White House has wisely kept the issue at arm's length. The president has made it clear that the he disagreed with his predecessor's action. Bush also said though that while Congress had the right to launch such an inquiry, he himself was not going to sponsor any move to overturn the Marc Rich pardon. He refused to set a precedent that might lead to the weakening of a president's pardoning ability.

Amazing. A president with concern for the powers of the office? Who could believe it. But this is wise politically as well. The Founding Fathers might have given primacy to the legislative branch. But in our current information age, the president is easily the dominant figure. The biggest problem that Republicans had while Clinton was in the White House was — Clinton in the White House. It appeared that the Congress was always investigating the President, while he had a bully pulpit from which to exhort that he was "busy doing the work of the American people."

The contrast was striking.

Now comes the "return to normalcy" period. Perhaps recalling the old adage that "nothing quite concentrates the mind as imminent death," the Bushes raced to get every Cabinet individual announced and before the Congress before they took office. This stone-cold efficiency has now carried over to the administration, with the unveiling of the education, faith-based services and Medicare. It's likely Bush will not get exactly what he's looking for (in, say, vouchers). However, playing offense continually, ultimately causes the other side's defenses to wear down. Note that, with all the noise on the left about John Ashcroft, Gale Norton sailed through the Senate with a 75-25 margin.

By refusing to get baited into stories about White House vandalism, gifts, and pardons, Bush has managed to remain above the fray. Meanwhile, he produces initiative after initiative to keep Congress off-balance.

Expect a couple of legislative touchdowns in the near future.