George Bush: Mr. Consensus

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That sounds like a nascent -- and ironic -- re-election slogan. Last year Dukakis declared that the contest for the White House was about "competence, not ideology." Bush won the election by campaigning on "values." After seven months as President, however, Bush seems to be betting that what he accomplishes will matter more than who he is or what he stands for. As Reagan fades from the public's mind, a clearer portrait of Bush is emerging, and his problem-solving style and relentlessly cautious decision making suggest that he is already positioning himself to run on the Dukakis slogan in 1992.

FOOTNOTE: *The New York Times, Washington Post, Washington Times, Wall Street Journal, New York Daily News and New York Post.