Viewpoint

Bush offering awakening
by Nick Tedford, reporter

    President George W. Bush, in the first two weeks has shown hope for an uplifting and potential-filled administration.

    He has transformed and molded a new Republican governing style, a fresh taste of administrative sympathy and an overwhelming sense of principle on workable policy: an awakening of a New Conservatism.

    With a Texas-sized smirk and a skilled team of savvy political players, it’s out with Newt Gingrich, Impeachment, the “vast, right-wing conspiracy” and Contract With America.

    The current in list includes “faith-based” initiatives, civility and confidence, affirmative access, an energized America, citizenship and duty, tax cuts, encouragement, compassion and Dick Cheney.

    Though it may seem political in practice, Bush has positioned his administration straddled atop Mount Integrity, looking out upon the land of courageous and willing individuals wading through an awesome frontier of available and abundant freedom.

    Having ushered in this new age of responsibility, Bush, in order to accomplish the nation’s massive goals, must seek and capture the new way of triangular politics.

    Triangular refers to the ideological whirlwind forces from all jagged points of the three-sided shape: Republicans on the hopeful right, Democrats on the weary left, and Bush, peaked at the much-desired center, towering above all.

    And as rosy as the beginning has been, hints of hostility and inconspicuous mean-spiritedness are flowing from the opposition as demonstrated by the all-out assault and character attack on John Ashcroft during his hearings.

    But these leftist forces have been crippled and tainted not by the loss of control of the White House but because of the presence of the unanticipated and totally underestimated Bush skills: sophistication and delegation.

    It was these qualities that won him support from Democrats in Texas.

    It was these qualities which led him to surround himself with brilliant advisers.

    It was these qualities which got him elected.

    And he knows how to use them to his advantage.

    Liberals attack Bush not as a conservative extremist but rather as someone who is extremely dumb.

    This slogan wore thin during the campaign and has been particularly disproved by Bush’s early administration successes.

    Bush had a decent inauguration despite protest and attempted violence. He’s put together one of the best cabinets in American history and initially began promoting the “economic recovery” package to head-off recession.

    In addition, he has adhered to his tax cut proposal so vehemently that one of its sponsors will be a Democratic senator.

    In fact, not being dumb has been one of Bush’s greatest strength.

    He has truly been on top of the intelligence game by doing these and other vital things.

    In the first two weeks, bipartisanship has been the vernacular, friendliness the tone and uncertainty the outlook. But it’s all a part of the first 100 days.

    Hopes are high, strategy is in place and honest governing has begun.