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FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794
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Posted on 04/14/2003 2:56:38 PM PDT by MadIvan
Fresh from victory in Iraq, President George W. Bush will on Tuesday turn to the lacklustre US economy in the knowledge that a second term in office depends as much on American prosperity as military acclaim.
As US-led forces on Monday took Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's last stronghold, the White House appeared to mark the conclusion of the military campaign with a presidential message of thanks to the troops.
"This time of war has been a time of hardship," Mr Bush said in a televised statement to US service personnel and their families.
His remarks came as the US moved to establish a post-war administration for Iraq, with a meeting of leaders from several different Iraqi factions in the southern city of Nasariyah.
The meeting, the first of several, will be overseen by Jay Garner, the retired US general who heads the new Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance. US officials hope the talks will pave the way for a national council that will establish an interim government within a few weeks.
But Mr Bush on Tuesday will shift the emphasis of his administration to the domestic agenda, fighting a seemingly unwinnable battle for a $726bn tax plan in the face of Congressional opposition.
In his first public address on the economy for nearly two months, Mr Bush will mark April 15th - the day that millions of Americans are due to submit their tax forms - with a speech in the White House Rose Garden calling for tax cuts to fuel economic growth and much-needed job creation.
The White House also announced on Monday a concerted effort by the administration, despatching 25 senior officials to speak at 57 events in more than 40 cities over the next two weeks to make the case for tax cuts even in a time of war.
Mr Bush and his closest strategic advisers are mindful of the political fate of his father. As the 41st president, George H.W. Bush led coalition forces to a swift, low -casualty victory over Iraq only to be defeated in his bid for re-election at the US polls less than two years later.
The 43rd president's approval rating bounced back up to 71 per cent over the weekend, after sliding into the 50s. But, regardless of his success in Iraq, the polls show the American public continues to question Mr Bush's management of the economy: In a Newsweek poll published on Monday, 46 per cent of people said they disapproved of Mr Bush's handling of the economy, while 44 per cent approved.
After nearly eight weeks of speeches focused on Iraq, Mr Bush's comments on the economy on Tuesday will be seen as a moment of transition as he switches role from wartime commander-in-chief to campaigning politician with an eye on re-election in 2004.
Karl Rove, his chief political adviser, has been planning the Bush 2004 campaign. While the president led the nation to war, Mr Rove was instructed to keep the embryonic campaign effort out of view. Mr Rove's groundwork on the Bush re-election campaign is now likely to become evident as Mr Bush re-engages with the American people on domestic issues.
Mr Bush will on Wednesday fly to St. Louis, where he will tour a Boeing factory and address the Iraq situation, his budget and the economy.
The president's tax-cut proposals, particularly the central suggestion to eliminate taxes that investors pay on dividends, has run into opposition from both Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill.
Charles Grassley, the Republican chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, has pledged to block any more than $350bn in tax cuts in light of concerns about war spending and the rising deficit.
As John Snow, the Treasury secretary; Don Evans, the commerce secretary; and Elaine Chao, the labour secretary, fan out across the US from Tuesday, they will be making the argument that the president is still seeking $726bn in tax cuts. But, referring to a compromise figure, a White House official said on Monday the president is determined to get "at least $550bn" in tax cuts.
Regards, Ivan
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FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794
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How about reducing all taxes, and government 90 percent?
The Financial Times, despites its title, is really like the New York Times larded up with some straight pro forma finance & stock information.
Notice the propensity for the press to always refer to two or three Republicans' support as "bi-partisan".
In this case it is an opportunity to put the Republicans first.
As I recall, there was unanimous Republican support for tax cuts in The House. So a few RINOs in The Senate make it "both".
yitbos
yitbos
I believe Karl Rove knows how to use the high approval numbers to get President Bush re-elected.
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