From the Editor

There can be few more agreeable positions in life than that of President-elect. The sitting President is still responsible for what happens, particularly if it is unpleasant, but any really important decisions have to be cleared with the incoming Chief Executive.

The results are foreordained. If a policy looks likely to incur unpopularity, Mr. Clinton will assume an expression of great seriousness and point out that he cannot intrude on Mr. Bush’s prerogatives. If there are goodies to be doled out, however, he will associate himself with the decision. And if, like GATT, it contains both kicks and kindnesses, then it will be entirely suited to Mr. Clinton’s practiced equivocation.

About the Author

John O’Sullivan

John O’Sullivan is a senior fellow at National Review Institute and a contributing editor of National Review.

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There can be few more agreeable positions in life than that of President-elect. The sitting President is still responsible for what happens, particularly if it is unpleasant, but any really important decisions have to be cleared with the incoming Chief Executive.

The results are foreordained. If a policy looks likely to incur unpopularity, Mr. Clinton will assume an expression of great seriousness and point out that he cannot intrude on Mr. Bush’s prerogatives. If there are goodies to be doled out, however, he will associate himself with the decision. And if, like GATT, it contains both kicks and kindnesses, then it will be entirely suited to Mr. Clinton’s practiced equivocation.