Nuestadt: Bush handles "war" well
LAURA ROMPF
Associate News Editor
The last time Richard Nuestadt, a Harvard professor and presidential scholar, visited Notre Dame's campus was Monday, Sept. 10, 2001. The next day, analyzing the current president George W. Bush's term in office became an unprecedented task.
In a lecture Wednesday afternoon at the Hesburgh Center for International Studies, Nuestadt praised Bush's personal traits and the actions he has taken since Sept. 11, but criticized him for calling America's actions against terrorism a "war."
"Up to now, Bush has done well obtaining much of what he wants," Nuestadt said. "This is the best first year for any president since Lyndon Johnson."
Nuestadt said using a term like "crime against humanity," as the pope called the attack on the trade center, may have been more appropriate than "war." Historically Americans become frustrated with both long wars and wars that cannot be won, Nuestadt said.
"[This war] boggles my mind," Nuestadt said. "It could go on for five, 10 or even 30 years. That frames the huge predicament President Bush took on when he called this a war."
According to Nuestadt, several of Bush's personal traits could help keep him popular among the American people.
Nuestadt said because Bush did not want to be president his entire adult life, the American people relate to him.
"Bush was always passionate about baseball, not politics," Nuestadt said.
Nuestadt said Americans have also related to Bush because on Sept. 11 his initial reactions were anger and shock.
"This suggests his first reactions are very American — so many of us have some Texan in us," said Nuestadt.
Nuestadt also said Bush's willingness to listen and learn has helped him deal with the war on terrorism.
"From the beginning, Bush made up for a lack of Washington experience by surrounding himself with advisors who have just that," Nuestadt said.
Finally Nuestadt noted Bush's discipline in keeping to his schedule and having an understanding of the imagery of his office as positives in his leadership style.
"George W. knows how to look, act and dress presidentially," Nuestadt said. "And even speak presidentially — not necessarily eloquent, but clear and purposively."
Besides praising personal traits of Bush, Nuestadt also noted three enduring facts about crisis periods that Bush has encountered in the last 18 weeks of his term.
Nuestadt said presidents in such times experience the "rallying around the flag" effect but Bust has earned this praise by shouldering Americans fears and presenting remedies for the problem.
Next Nuestadt said in crisis times presidents are given more power due to accumulated precedents.
"Thus far the Bush administration has shown little use of these prerogative powers," Nuestadt said. "But dare I say it, the use of prerogative powers will likely increase as this unprecedented war continues."
Third, Nuestadt noted that like other crisis times, Bush should be aware that the "rallying around the flag" effect does not create a Constitutional dictatorship and is not forever. Nuestadt said as the war on terrorism continues Americans might become disheartened with its length and the fact that no clear winner can ever be declared. Reconciling with this frustration will be key to Bush's reelection in 2004, Nuestadt said.
"The recession just became official in December and the war is only four months old," Nuestadt said. "These problems are just at the beginning. Bush had better not take 2004 for granted, but I presume he hasn't done that for a moment."
Nuestadt said if Bush can effectively deal with these issues, his popularity will remain high, and he will most likely be re-elected in 2004.
"For now, the odds are decidedly on Bush," Nuestadt said. "Who could've said that a year ago?"
All News Stories for Thursday, January 24, 2002
