Few expect a continuation of the level of activity, and trauma, of Bush's first term. He led the country through the most devastating attack on its soil and into two wars, toppling the Taliban in Afghanistan and Saddam Hussein in Iraq. He presided over a global al Qaeda manhunt and a massive reorganization and expansion of the government to combat terrorism. In domestic affairs, he championed the largest tax cut in a generation, the largest change in the Medicare program since it began and an overhaul of federal education policy -- all after losing the popular vote in 2000.
But with his victory, Bush has a second chance to reverse his first-term failings. His "compassionate conservatism" was stillborn, as poverty and the number of Americans without health insurance expanded. He made virtually no progress in healing the nation's bitter partisan divide, the one regret he has expressed during the first term and something he touched on in his victory speech yesterday. His foreign policies have fueled unrest in Iraq and estrangement from many allies without calming the explosive Middle East. And he has presided over a net loss of 900,000 jobs.
| U.S. President | | Updated 2:09 AM ET | Precincts:0% |
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A Brookings Institution study by Paul C. Light, a professor at New York University's Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service, found that Bush's first-term domestic agenda was the smallest in at least 44 years. Light, comparing Bush with eight predecessors going back to John F. Kennedy, ranked him last in the number of major legislative proposals on his agenda: 18.
Second terms are about legacies. And Republicans are reviving talk of the lofty ambition Bush and his chief strategist, Karl Rove, set back in 1999: a Republican "realignment" that would give the party a broad governing majority. After capturing more House and Senate seats, some Republicans -- and a few Democrats -- say Bush could lock in a long-term GOP majority, especially in Congress, if he can broaden the party's appeal.
Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), who has been critical of Bush's foreign policy, said the president is in a "very unique position" to reposition the party because he cannot run again, which puts a premium on purely political calculations; has a vice president who is not interested in succeeding him; and a large enough GOP congressional majority to sometimes work his will. "It's a rare opportunity that does not come along for a president very often," Hagel said.
In his acceptance speech at the Republican convention this summer, Bush packaged his plans as a transformation of the role of government. "In all these proposals, we seek to provide not just a government program, but a path -- a path to greater opportunity, more freedom, and more control over your own life," he said.
It's unclear whether Bush will have the time and energy to do that, or whether national security issues, perhaps involving Iran, North Korea or Pakistan, will intervene. But if calmer times prevail, Bush will have another chance to deliver the presidency he promised four years ago, before Sept. 11, 2001, buried his domestic ambitions.
Staff writer Jonathan Weisman contributed to this report.
