Bush's two tasks: lead, heal nation

As President Bush marshals America's response to Tuesday's terror attacks, history suggests that he stands at a crucial moment in time - that he has the opportunity to unify and transform the nation in ways that will ripple out for decades, and that will long define his presidency.

If past crises are guideposts, success will require Mr. Bush to play at least two key roles:

First: Effective commander. He has already garnered support from allies - including NATO nations. And he has set groundwork for strong military action. After Pearl Harbor in 1941, Franklin Roosevelt also successfully steered the nation toward hard-fought victory against Japan and Germany. Jimmy Carter, however, couldn't muster an effective response to Iran's taking of American hostages in 1979 and suffered for it.

Second: Empathetic counselor. Playing the role of "pastor in chief" requires something akin to Ronald Reagan's tribute to the Challenger astronauts in 1986, that they had " 'slipped the surly bonds of earth' to 'touch the face of God.' " Mr. Bush has faced some early criticism for not taking the symbolic step of quickly returning to Washington after the attacks - and for not fully and immediately addressing Americans' concerns during his public appearances. His declaration of today as a national day of prayer - and his planned visit to New York - may help assuage the country's grief.

In many ways, Tuesday's unprecedented terrorism is a Gordian knot bigger than any president has yet faced. Yet, "It's at moments like this that the nation wants to be led - that the general layer of cynicism and criticism drops, which allows presidents to exercise more leadership than they otherwise would," says Christopher Arterton, a political scientist at George Washington University.

In his role as commander, Bush has made quick strides.

• Most notably: NATO - for the first time in its history - committed to invoking Article 5 of its charter, which states that an "an armed attack" against any of the European or North American members "shall be considered an attack against them all." It requires NATO members to take the steps needed - including military action - to restore security.

But Bush will need to get rock-solid commitments from allies and other nations, and soon. While "they've said all the right things" in the immediate aftermath of the incidents, says historian James MacGregor Burns, their support could fade - especially if it takes weeks before military action occurs.

Indeed, the Swedish and German foreign ministers have already pushed for caution - and not acting before all the facts are known.

• The bipartisan congressional resolution that vows retribution, passed early yesterday, is seen by some as negating any need for a formal declaration of war, thus allowing Bush to act quickly when he wants.

• Work is under way in Congress to guarantee funds - perhaps $20 billion - for initial rescue and clean-up efforts. And although Congress is leery of giving Bush a blank check for future needs, privately many members say he will get as much as he requests.

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