And So It Begins 

By TAD BARTIMUS

God Bless President George W. Bush and God Bless America.

Those are words we should all say this inauguration week. But they will probably stick in the throats of millions of voters who cast ballots for Al Gore or Ralph Nader. Half the country - and maybe even a little bit more -- believes George W. Bush is a pretender to the presidency, a man who should not to be standing on the steps of the Capitol with his hand on the Bible taking the oath of office as the 43rd president of the United States.

But, as my farmer friend says when a poacher kills her chickens or a drought burns up her beans: "It is what it is."
George W. Bush IS president. For the next four years he will be the most powerful man in the world. His job description is simple: to lead the United States to the best of his ability; set aside all partisanship and self-interest; act on behalf of the common good; seek the wisest counsel he can find and do what, in his heart, he believes is right.

Every president enters the Oval Office with that mandate. None has been able to fully carry it out. Perhaps George W. Bush will be the exception that proves the rule. It behooves us to think the best of a man who now has the power to save or destroy the world. 

All presidents have tried to be great. Some - Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln - have come close. A few - McKinley, Lincoln again, Kennedy -- have died trying. But for your average run-of-the-mill president, it took so much compromising and deal-making to get there it's as though part of his soul got left on the bus. Our presidents come into office owing so many and promising so much that they're mediocre before they get their first national Christmas tree lit.

Watching George W. Bush and Al Gore tussle for the toughest job in the world reminded me of a corporate power struggle I once witnessed from afar. A consummate insider who'd worked his way up the ladder until he was the anointed successor thought all he had to do was show up to be appointed company president. After all, he'd been on the fast track for 20 years. He'd paid his dues, kissed backsides, nearly destroyed his marriage to be a good company man. He deserved to be No. 1. 
But a wily newcomer with a burning ambition undercut him by wooing strategic allies on the corporate board. He convinced them his leadership would bring more of everything - money, power, prestige. For every tough question asked he had a "chicken in every pot" answer. People like it when you tell them what they want to hear. Once safely ensconced in his redecorated office, the usurper sent his veteran rival packing in two months.
For nearly 20 years now, the corporate winner has kept a choke chain on his job. But his vigilance has shrunk him. He's fired, demoted or lost -- through death or disillusionment -- most of the allies who supported him. He seems physically, mentally and even spiritually a lesser man for having won.

The loser, on the other hand, was allowed to save face by using a flimsy health excuse to "retire," reportedly with a hefty financial consolation prize. After giving short shrift to his family during his workaholic years, he now spends most of his time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He bought a boat and moved to a home on a golf course. Former business associates who bump into him from time to time say he looks splendid and seems to be happier than he's ever been.

Winner. Loser. Which is which? Al Gore walks out of the spotlight, George W. Bush walks into it. And we remember that old Chinese curse: 
"Be careful what you wish for."

Good luck, Mr. President. You're going to need it.


© 2001 The Women Syndicate

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