A NEW BEGINNING.President Bush comes into office after one of the longest and most bitter election battles in U.S. history. Will he be able to govern? On January 20, George W. Bush will stand in the cold winter wind on a huge platform in front of the Capitol, place one hand on the Bible, and take the oath of office An oath of office is an oath or affirmation a person takes before undertaking the duties of an office, usually a position in government or within a religious body, although such oaths are sometimes required of officers of other organizations. as 43rd President of the United States The head of the Executive Branch, one of the three branches of the federal government. The U.S. Constitution sets relatively strict requirements about who may serve as president and for how long. . Next to him will be his wife, Laura, without whom, friends say, he would never have made it to the White House. When he turned 40, she persuaded him to stop drinking, ending a problem that would have prevented his political career. A few feet away will be another person responsible for Bush's election: outgoing President An outgoing president is a president or, generally, other head of state or government when he holds office between the election of his successor and the inauguration by which that successor assumes power. Bill Clinton. If it had not been for the scandals that enveloped en·vel·op tr.v. en·vel·oped, en·vel·op·ing, en·vel·ops 1. To enclose or encase completely with or as if with a covering: "Accompanying the darkness, a stillness envelops the city" him and tainted taint v. taint·ed, taint·ing, taints v.tr. 1. To affect with or as if with a disease. 2. To affect with decay or putrefaction; spoil. See Synonyms at contaminate. 3. the Democratic effort, Bush probably would never have been elected. And also on the stage will be the departing Vice President, Al Gore Noun 1. Al Gore - Vice President of the United States under Bill Clinton (born in 1948) Albert Gore Jr., Gore , who won the popular vote for President and, in the eyes of some Democrats, should rightfully be standing in Bush's place. THE TIE-BREAKER And then, holding the Bible and administering the oath will be the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, William Rehnquist Noun 1. William Rehnquist - United States jurist who served as an associate justice on the United States Supreme Court from 1972 until 1986, when he was appointed chief justice (born in 1924) Rehnquist, William Hubbs Rehnquist . Without his vote in the historic case of Bush v. Gore Introduction In Bush v. Gore 531 U.S. 98, 121 S.Ct. 525, 148 L.Ed.2d 388 (U.S. 2000), the U.S Supreme Court ruled that the system devised by the Florida Supreme Court to recount the votes cast in the state during the 2000 U.S. , in which the Supreme Court essentially decided the election, Bush would likely not be standing there at all. While most inaugurations represent the crowning moment of a political career, in the case of George Walker George Walker may refer to: In arts and letters:
The former Texas Governor rides into office on a pledge to bring the country together and end the partisan bickering bick·er intr.v. bick·ered, bick·er·ing, bick·ers 1. To engage in a petty, bad-tempered quarrel; squabble. See Synonyms at argue. 2. in Washington. "I'm a uniter, not a divider divider See European currency quotation. ," he frequently says. But little did he imagine just how big a job that would turn out to be. Bush takes the oath knowing that the majority of voters preferred his opponent, and faces a Congress that is the most evenly divided in decades. In addition, questions abound about Bush's lack of experience, and many Democrats still consider him "the accidental President," who would not be in office were it not for the intervention of the Supreme Court. "There will always be this sense that there was some larceny larceny, in law, the unlawful taking and carrying away of the property of another, with intent to deprive the owner of its use or to appropriate it to the use of the perpetrator or of someone else. involved in this election," says Senator Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.). Moving into the White House with baggage like this, Bush faces difficult questions about whether he will be able to govern, much less achieve as lofty a goal as uniting the country. UNKNOWN QUANTITY But anyone who tells you they know whether Bush can overcome the doubts about him is just spinning. The fact is, while many journalists have written about every aspect of Bush's life--his youth at Andover, an elite prep school, and at Yale, his days as a businessman with few successes, and his six years as Governor of Texas--we don't really know what kind of President he will make. By any measure, Bush's political resume is among the thinnest of all Presidents. Until late in life, the new President showed little interest in politics, and never held elected office until 1994. He drifted through much of his adulthood. He ran a failed oil venture (and was bailed out by some big investors), and then friends guided him into a partial ownership of the Texas Rangers Texas Rangers, mounted fighting force organized (1835) during the Texas Revolution. During the republic they became established as the guardians of the Texas frontier, particularly against Native Americans. baseball team. When he ran for Governor against Ann Richards This article is about the American politician/teacher, for the Australian-American actress, see Ann Richards (actress). For the American jazz singer, see Ann Richards (singer). , his own mother did not expect him to win. He has often done well because his enemies underestimated him. And history suggests that experience isn't always the best guide to presidential success. People made fun of Harry S. Truman's intellect and inexperience--before his Senate career, he had run a men's hat shop into bankruptcy--and today he is considered one of the best Presidents of the 20th century. President Clinton had run nothing bigger than the state of Arkansas before becoming the 42nd President. The good news for Bush is that, unlike Clinton, he has not suffered any publicized personal scandals, beyond a long-ago arrest for driving while under the influence of alcohol. POWERED DOWN But politically, he is in tougher shape. His narrow margin of victory takes a good deal of the bully out of his bully pulpit--the phrase coined by President Theodore Roosevelt to describe the President's power to use public opinion to get his way. Congress, without whom he can get nothing done, is split so evenly that Bush may have no choice but to make good on his campaign pledge and reach out to Democrats. And he may have to put off a number of the programs that he campaigned on because they are sure to divide (see "Promises"). But putting off such programs may create problems with conservative Republicans. Conservatives want him to ban some kinds of abortions on; he is unlikely to be able to do so. They also want him to pull out of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty The Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM Treaty or ABMT) was a treaty between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the limitation of the anti-ballistic missile (ABM) systems used in defending areas against missile-delivered nuclear with Russia, a treaty that could restrict America's ability to build a new missile-defense system. But with America's allies worried about Bush's inexperience, he's unlikely to do that, either. TAXING DECISIONS One of the big questions is what will happen to his plans for a $1.3 trillion tax cut over the next 10 years. Bush says he plans to stick to this campaign commitment, and argues it will spur an economy that is already slowing down. But for the past few years, both parties have advocated paying down the national debt, and you can't cut taxes and pay off debt with the same dollars. With the long knives You might be looking for the Nazi purge known as the Night of the Long Knives Long Knives or Big Knives was a term used by American Indians of the Ohio Country to designate British colonists in North America. circling to the right and left of him, what then can Bush accomplish? Look for him to focus on a few pieces of legislation that have widespread support: some reforms in education and a more modest tax cut, perhaps just for married couples and for people inheriting the estates of their relatives. But even as he takes baby steps in his first months as President, he is going to have to persuade the country that while he took office after an election that was essentially a tie, he is capable of leading. FOCUS: Will the Bitter Post-Election Court Fight Affect Bush's Ability to Lead? TEACHING OBJECTIVES To help students understand the challenges facing President-elect George W. Bush in the wake of the bitter post-election court fight. Discussion Questions: * What has this election taught you about the American electoral process? * Bush has been criticized for his lack of experience. But some of the greatest Presidents have had little political experience. Is there any preparation or experience that would guarantee a successful presidency? * Do Democrats betray their supporters if they agree to work in the Bush administration? CLASSROOM STRATEGIES Critical Thinking: President-elect George W. Bush, like many presidential candidates, campaigned against the "power structure" in Washington. On occasion, Bush told campaign audiences that he answered his phone in Texas, not Washington. Ask students why they think candidates criticize government when the job they are seeking is to be leader of that government. (Do they suggest that outsiders can do a better job as President than insiders?) Next, discuss how the Supreme Court intervention and narrowness of the electoral vote may affect President-elect Bush's ability to govern. How might Bush's political opponents exploit these facts to undermine Bush's presidency? How might the new President appeal to the American people An American people may be:
Interviews/Poll: Students might poll fellow students, parents, and others in their community on two questions: * Do you believe the post-election court fight, and close electoral vote will hinder the new President's ability to lead? * Should President-elect Bush plunge forward to get conservative bills passed quickly, or should he seek a middle ground with congressional Democrats? Speech Writing: Remind students of Bush's campaign pledge: "I'm a uniter, not a divider." Have them write five or more sentences they would include in Bush's inaugural address that would calm the political waters and affirm his promise to bridge the gap between Democrats and Republicans. THE INS AND OUTS ins and outs pl.n. 1. The intricate details of a situation, decision, or process. 2. The windings of a road or path. A President's power extends to pop culture as a symbol of what America is all about. Although incoming President Bush and outgoing President Clinton have their similarities--both are 54 years old, are former Governors of Southern states Southern States U.S. Confederacy government of 11 Southern states that left the Union in 1860. [Am. Hist.: EB, III: 73] Dixie popular name for Southern states in U.S. and for song. [Am. Hist. , and have slight drawls--their differences could mark a countrywide shift in what's cool.
IN OUT
BASEBALL GOLF
Bush, who was once one of Clinton squeezed
the owners of the Texas in a game
Rangers, says his favorite TV about three
show is ESPN's Baseball Tonight. times a month.
CHEERLEADING PLAYING
SAXOPHONE
Bush was head
cheerleader at his Clinton learned the sax
Massachusetts prep in high school and played
school, though he an Elvis Presley song
kept it a secret on late-night TV
from his Texas during his 1992 campaign.
friends.
NAPS ALL-NIGHTERS
Bush gets his ZZZs. Clinton kept
cramming.
AUSTIN POWERS HIGH NOON
The Spy Who The Western classic about
Shagged Me is a a retiring sheriff's showdown is
Bush favorite. Clinton's all-time favorite.
WORKOUTS DOUGHNUTS
Bush likes to sweat it out. Clinton occasionally
pigged out.
STUPID PET STUPID PET
NAMES (still in) NAMES
Bush's dog Spot Clinton's dog Buddy
and cat Ernie and cat Socks
CLIFFS NOTES MYSTERY NOVELS
Though his wife was a school Clinton was a big reader,
librarian, Bush wants the especially with Walter
condensed version. Mosley mysteries.
COWBOY HATS SHORT SHORTS
THE SMIRK THE LIP BITE
Family Ties Georqe W. Bush, son of President George Bush (1989-1993), is the second son of a President to win the office. Here are the other dynasties: FATHER-SON John Adams (1797-1801) John Quincy Adams (1825-1829) GRANDFATHER-GRANDSON William Henry Noun 1. William Henry - English chemist who studied the quantities of gas absorbed by water at different temperatures and under different pressures (1775-1836) Henry Harrison (1841) Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893) SECOND COUSINS James Madison (1809-1817) Zachary Taylor (1849-1850) FIFTH COUSINS Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909) Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1933-1945) Bush's Teammates It's a perennial sport in American politics: making book on a newbie A first-time user. A newbie may be a novice in anything; using a computer, a video game, a particular operating system, the Internet, etc. Also called a "newb," "noob" or "nub." (jargon) newbie President as he puts together his Cabinet, the team that will run the government. How has President-elect Georqe W. Bush done so far? Bravo, say the critics, praising Bush for his choice of seasoned leaders--although some point out that his Cabinet officers have more experience than he does. Bush hit his biggest home run when he tapped Colin Powell Noun 1. Colin Powell - United States general who was the first African American to serve as chief of staff; later served as Secretary of State under President George W. Bush (born 1937) Colin luther Powell, Powell , the former Army general who led the 1991 Persian Gulf war Persian Gulf War or Gulf War (1990–91) International conflict triggered by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in August 1990. Though justified by Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein on grounds that Kuwait was historically part of Iraq, the invasion was presumed to be against Iraq, to be Secretary of State. The hugely popular Powell is slated to become the first African-American chief foreign affairs foreign affairs pl.n. Affairs concerning international relations and national interests in foreign countries. adviser. Powell, 63, the son of Jamaican immigrants, grew up in the South Bronx of New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. . He calls his selection proof that "there are no limitations on you." For the latest news on the Bush administration, Visit UPFRONT ONLINE. nytimes.com/upfront DAVID E. SANGER David E. Sanger — born on July 5, 1960 in White Plains, New York — is White House correspondent for The New York Times. A 1982 graduate of Harvard College, Sanger has been writing for The New York Times is a White House correspondent for The New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of Times. |
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