Campaign 2000: Why Bush Doesn't Like Homework

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Bush supporters like to argue that in his governing style, and his lack of interest in some policy details, the Governor resembles Ronald Reagan. It's a comparison every G.O.P. candidate wants for himself. But if Bush, with his different strengths and weaknesses, resembles any past President, it is probably his father, only in mirror image. The elder Bush, unlike his son,was a foreign-policy expert. A former CIA director, U.N. representative and ambassador to China, he is probably on a first-name basis with more world leaders than George W. can name. But the former President's blind spot was domestic affairs. He wasn't much interested in social issues or education. When it came to domestic policy, President Bush deferred to his expert advisers, much as George W. does now on questions of foreign affairs. That arm's-length behavior cost the father a second term. A similar problem could cost the son a first.

*THE OTHER THREE LEADERS: CHECHNYA--ASLAN MASKHADOV; INDIA--ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE; PAKISTAN--GENERAL PERVEZ MUSHARRAF