The Right Man: The Surprise Presidency of George W. Bush. - book review

BY DAVID FRUM RANDOM HOUSE 2003, 286 PAGES, $25.95

A few days after resigning as economic speechwriter for Pres. George W. Bush, having served from Jan. 20, 2001, to Feb. 25, 2002, David Frum received a call from a respected reporter asking for details about his "firing." He clarified that he had not been fired, but, even if he had, why would firing him be news? The reporter explained that, because the Administration had "frozen out" the press, the media followed any means of "lifting the curtain" They had been looking for a disgruntled former employee "eager to dish the dirt."

Although, prior to 2001, Frum had had no connection to the Bush campaign or family, no background in government, and very little experience in political campaigns, he proved to be a very successful speechwriter. Initially, the President did not excite Frum, who strongly doubted that Bush was the right man for the job; in fact, Frum had published articles critical of him. However, when Bush was willing to take a chance on Frum, he decided to take a chance on Bush.

The author writes about the "real" Bush, who is always in charge, is well-informed, and knows exactly what he wants to do. In his challenge to be bipartisan, Bush does not criticize Democratic office holders by name or the Democratic Party in general. To him, bipartisanship means respect, trust, and a good-faith effort to lessen political differences. Bush is not an ideological man, and will sacrifice an item of conservative principle to achieve his political goals. His most-important job is to get things done--to prove that American politics can work. He considers compromise indispensable to the "new tone" that he promised to bring to Washington.

Frum saw Bush evolve into "The Right Man" after the 9/11 attacks, when the President's calm self-restraint led the nation. He delivered a flawless speech at the memorial service in the National Cathedral on Sept. 14, 2001, and the nation will long remember him climbing onto the damaged fire truck and using a bullhorn to reassure Americans and warn the terrorists. (The cover of the book features Bush and the bullhorn.)

Inevitably, the White House registered its displeasure with Frum's book, maintaining that he broke the code of silence and, in his objectivity, includes some derogatory things about the President and his staff. However, most of the work is highly complimentary to Bush and his administration. Frum does lift the curtain on the Bush White House, but he writes with discretion and control, his information untainted by dirt and humor free of vindictiveness.

Frum grew to like and respect the President and now considers him an exemplary wartime leader whose success can be summed up in three words: moderation, persistence, and boldness. Frum believes that leadership is one of the great mysteries of politics. When Bush arrived in office, his political strategy and vision were unclear. By a stroke of fate, George W. Bush became the right man in the right place at the right time--a true leader.

Reviewed by
RAYMOND L. FISCHER
Mass Media Editor

COPYRIGHT 2003 Society for the Advancement of Education
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group