The First 100 Days How's Bush Doing?

George W. Bush has just completed his first 100 days in office. Americans often look at the first 100 days as a sign of how successful a President will be. How has President Bush done so far? Here are five areas to consider:

* Foreign Policy: President Bush wants the U.S. to play a firm, but more limited role in international affairs. Bush says he will not personally take part in peace negotiations in the Middle East or Northern Ireland, as President Clinton did.

Bush's leadership skills were tested by the standoff between China and the U.S. (see p. 4). Most foreign policy experts said that he followed a sensible course by negotiating instead of making threats.

* Tax Cuts: Bush has pushed hard for a $1.6 trillion tax cut over the next 10 years. But many in Congress say the proposed cut would eliminate essential programs and be too costly.

* Energy: The solution to America's energy crisis, Bush believes, is to step up U.S. production of oil and natural gas. Bush wants to open federally protected land to oil and gas drilling. Environmentalists disagree. "There's no need to destroy our nation's wilderness areas, because it will not do anything to address our nation's energy needs," says environmentalist Bill Meadows.

* Environment: The Bush administration has withdrawn from discussions on the Kyoto Treaty, which would force industrial countries to reduce emissions of greenhouses gases. Bush says he won't support the treaty in its current form because it would hurt U.S. businesses. "[The treaty] makes no economic sense," says Bush, "it makes no common sense."

* Education: Bush's proposed budget calls for more spending on education. But the President says schools must be held accountable if student test scores do not improve.