Bush comes down to his last 100 days
George W. Bush has less than 100 days left in office. They promise to be full.
The economy is in free-fall all over the world. U.S. forces are fighting two wars, in Iraq and Afghanistan. And, if you believe in global warming, the planet's ice cap is melting.
"It looks like I'm going to have a lot of work to do between today and when the new president takes office," Bush observed last week.
Things looked more promising at the end of Bush's first 100 days in office.
At the time, the new president was poised to win a massive tax cut and was pushing education reform that would be called No Child Left Behind. He was also urging a faith-based initiative that would allow church charities to claim government funds. On the world scene, he had already spurned the international effort to reduce global warming, called off talks with North Korea about its missiles, bombed Iraq and expelled 50 Russian spies.
After the first 100 days, a CNN/Gallup poll found his approval rating at 62% -- a contrast to his current 23% Nixonian level. Everyone seemed to like his tone, the punctual White House, a contrast to the brilliant chaos of the Clinton years.
He was also enjoying a honeymoon with Congress. In fact, the White House even hosted a luncheon reception for Congress to mark his first 100 days in office. In remarks at that event on April 30, 2001, Bush said:
I've now met with most of you, and here's what I think. I think America is lucky to have such distinguished citizens coming to Washington to represent them. I've been impressed by the caliber of the person; I've been impressed by the conviction that you brought to the Oval Office.
Oh, I know we always don't agree. But we're beginning to get a spirit here in Washington where we're more agreeable, where we're setting a different tone. So when the good folks of this country look at our nation's capital, they see something they can be proud of.
Oh what a difference seven years can make.
--Johanna Neuman
Photo: President Bush greets supporters in the crowd at a tax relief rally in Billings, Mont., during his first 100 days in office. Credit: Eric Draper / White House
