Bush Tries to Refocus on His Presidency

George W. Bush is attempting to refocus Americans on his presidency after a week when it seemed that Ronald and Nancy Reagan were dominating the headlines. To achieve this, Bush is leveraging the legacy of the 40th president, often blurring the lines between the two leaders' styles and policies. However, many skeptics, including top Reagan officials, point out significant contrasts between the two presidencies, particularly in their approaches to television appearances, politics, and style.

Key Takeaways:

• Bush is using the Reagan legacy to try to refocus Americans on his presidency, but many critics argue that the two presidencies are distinct.
• Reagan was known for his ease with the camera, whereas Bush is often stiffer and more tongue-tied on television.
• The two presidents differ in their approach to politics, with Reagan delegating the dirty work to his operatives, while Bush is more involved in the campaigning process.
• Reagan was a unifier, while Bush has polarized the political landscape.
• Bush's style in Washington is starkly different from Reagan's, with the current president and his wife keeping to themselves, socializing mostly with old friends from Texas.

Statistics:

• Bush has spent nearly two weeks away from the campaign trail, including time in Europe, at the Group of Eight summit meeting in Sea Island, Georgia, and at observances for Reagan.
• Bush will spend four out of five days this week on the campaign trail.
• The White House unveiling of former President Bill Clinton's official portrait will serve as an odd opening act for Bush this week.

Sources:

• Elisabeth Bumiller, article in The New York Times, no date mentioned.