The case for Bush

GEORGE W. Bush did well. His father may have been weak on "the vision thing," but the son was strong. Unlike Vice President Al Gore, Gov. Bush expressed the central political idea that united his domestic policy agenda: The federal government should step back and "enable Americans to make decisions in their own lives."

Bush applied this principle to Medicare, to education and to tax cuts. He said he trusted Americans to choose their health plans, choose their schools and to have part of their overpaid taxes returned to them without strings. He was particularly strong on Social Security when he told younger Americans, "I want you to have an asset that you can call your own."

On education, Bush speaks forcefully and from a successful record. He speaks genuinely about classrooms and opportunity. Gore can't help sounding like a principal.

Bush's weakest performance was on one subject that divides his party: abortion. He could not make a bold, clear statement that either reassured pro-choice voters or did not scare away his conservative base. But by answering that he would not interfere with federal approval of the abortion pill, he signaled that he understands the nuances of the arguments.

Unlike Gore, Bush said he would not commit troops abroad without a clear mission, an exit strategy and the ability to win. He said he did not believe in "nation-building" as a reason to send troops into a country. He said the military had been weakened, and that he would restore it. Gore denied that it had been weakened, but given the military's well-publicized re-enlistment problems, he is not credible on this.

Nor is Gore credible on a host of issues. He is the expedient man, the candidate of demagoguery on Social Security and of theatrical sighs. He is so intent on making a point, he lacks the measure of unscripted grace that comes with a president secure in his own beliefs.