Crawford, Tex. — After a fusillade of criticism from Democratic leaders for the administration's suddenly aggressive posture after weeks of friendly overtures, President George W. Bush and his aides have scaled back rhetoric as they work to convince Democratic senators to support his tax cut.
This was the week that Bush won rapid House passage of his proposed cuts in tax rates, and unanimous Senate education committee approval of part of his platform for schools. Both the House and Senate voted to repeal workplace safety regulations a move that was billed as a first thrust toward dismantling the legislative legacy of President Clinton.
President George w. Bush took Air Force One Friday to Fort Hood, Tex., so that he could spend the weekend at his ranch in Crawford, Tex.
But seldom is heard a fighting word here at the Texas White House, where Bush is spending the weekend at his ranch, with his parents. In keeping with Bush's upbringing, gloating is discouraged. While privately expressing satisfaction, administration officials will admit in public to no more than confidence.
"The president believes by toning it down and getting things done, he'll get even more done it builds on itself," White House press secretary Ari Fleischer said. "It's a long time since Washington moved on so many fronts at the same time, and did so in such a toned-down way, and the president finds that encouraging."
Fleischer's comments were part of the administration's effort to send conciliatory signals to swing senators who will determine the fate of his tax cut, without giving up too much at the beginning of a process that is expected to stretch over several months.
Echoing the complaints of several leaders in his party, House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt this week accused Bush of a "my-way-or-the-highway approach to legislating."
On Friday, Bush gave interviews to the Washington Post and The New York Times in which he repeatedly emphasized his willingness to listen to senators' ideas for changes in his plan. "I am willing to listen there's a lot of opinions," he told The Post. He told the Times, "I am the kind of person who takes a realistic approach to the political process."
At a briefing Saturday, Fleischer said Bush remains optimistic about securing support for the rate cuts that passed the House, while noting that the vote is a ways off. "The president's instructions to the staff, and the president's desire, is to have Congress pass the tax cut that he proposed," Fleischer said. "He's going to do his level best to secure passage of it in the Senate."
"We're at the second step in a long process, the first step being house passage," Fleischer continued. "As far as he's concerned, he's watched the process change, all toward his direction."
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