Bush quietly pushes toward transition

He isn't saying much and doesn't want to be called "president-elect.'' Republicans are praising his laid-back approach.

©Washington Post

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 28, 2000

AUSTIN, Texas -- As he launched a government-in-waiting Monday, Texas Gov. George W. Bush set a restrained but unapologetic tone that won praise from Republican officials, who are increasingly confident that public opinion will push Vice President Al Gore from the presidential race.

Bush's longest public sentence was "Good morning, everybody -- nice to see you all," which he tossed off as he walked briskly into the Texas Capitol to conduct state business and plan his transition to the White House. But Bush signaled that he plans to maintain the humble but determined demeanor that characterized his speech to the nation on Sunday night.

He continued to deliberate over Cabinet appointees, even though Gore has not conceded. Bush authorized his running mate, former Defense Secretary Dick Cheney, to demand that the Clinton administration hand over the keys to the federal transition office and set up a fund to lease his own office in case that effort fails.

In deference to Gore, Bush has instructed his staff to continue referring to him as "governor" instead of "president-elect." The governor showed his mischievous side when Ken Herman, an Austin American-Statesman reporter who has covered him for seven years, asked what he should be called. " "Sir,' at least in your case," Bush said.

Bush went to the Capitol at 7:45 a.m., then left at 11:50 a.m. to jog at the University of Texas. He stopped by the Governor's Mansion at 1:45 p.m. and returned to the Capitol 40 minutes later.

Bush's approach drew raves from Republicans in Washington. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott announced he would "encourage the Senate's committee chairmen to begin hearings on President-elect Bush's Cabinet appointees" on Jan. 4, the day after new senators are sworn in. House Majority Whip Tom Delay (Texas) also issued a statement praising "President-elect Bush."

Rep. J.C. Watts, R-Okla., chairman of the House Republican Conference, said in a telephone interview that Bush's address Sunday night was "firm and unapologetic, but set a tone to help us start down the path of healing and growing in his presidency together."

Tom Cole, chief of staff of the Republican National Committee, said the public statements by Bush and Cheney have been conciliatory enough that it would be "difficult for people other than hard-nosed partisans to take offense." Cole said that since Election Day, Bush has projected the air of someone who is "calm, has laid out a course he intends to pursue, but is not frenetic or engaged in simply the political fight, like the vice president."

Campaign officials think Gore will go without their having to push too hard. Bush's Web site http://www.georgewbush.com Monday featured details of a Washington Post-ABC News poll showing 60 percent of those interviewed thought Gore should abandon his candidacy.

Also posted were excerpts from editorials and television commentaries criticizing Gore's persistence, and the text of a Chicago Tribune editorial with the headline, "Mr. Gore, End It Now."

As part of Bush's effort to project a measured tone, he plans to hold off for a few days on announcing his planned nominee for secretary of state, Colin L. Powell -- possibly until after oral arguments are heard on Friday, when the U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear Bush's Florida recount objections.

Campaign officials said Powell does not want the announcement to be used as a weapon to build momentum in the fight with Gore.

Bush advisers sought to lower expectations about the early selection of a Democrat to the Cabinet, not wanting each Republican nomination to be greeted with questions about why a Democrat was not chosen. Several Democrats under consideration are not in public office, and the campaign is wary of disrupting their lucrative lives earlier than necessary.

Former Sen. Sam Nunn, D-Ga., has been considered for defense secretary, as have former Bush administration official Paul D. Wolfowitz and arms-control expert Richard Perle.

Among the possibilities for housing and urban development secretary are Rep. Rick Lazio, R-N.Y., who lost the New York Senate race to first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, and former Indianapolis Mayor Stephen Goldsmith, who was Bush's chief domestic policy adviser during the campaign.

Campaign advisers said three governors are among the candidates for attorney general: Marc Racicot of Montana, Frank Keating of Oklahoma and James S. Gilmore III of Virginia. Gilmore said on Nov. 13 that he plans to serve out his term, which ends in January 2002.

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