But nationalizing an entire industry is.
No, one could make the argument that that is fascism, but not socialism. Socialism--or more specifically, what is referred to in the article as the "New Deal"--is an economic/social principle.
I can understand a person disagreeing with federalizing the baggage handlers, and I personally think idea of letting the states take this one on is better. But even with that angle of criticism, I don't see how a person could assert that Bush is now a "New Deal Democrat." It makes no sense to me. And I’m no Bush apologist.