Bush allure: an earnest, regular guy

On domestic policy, Bush probably faces a tougher audience than the American public in carrying out his agenda: Senate Democrats. Though they have lost their majority, they can still give him fits by blocking legislation. Bush also may face challenges from within the Republican caucus, which doesn't necessarily move in lockstep. Reportedly, Senate Republicans have already been warned that they "owe" the president for their election-day takeover.

BUT if Bush's eight years of executive power - including six as Texas governor - are a guide, Congress will likely see the full force of his skill in working issues as he seeks to build up a record for his reelection campaign.

As governor, Bush had a habit of walking into state legislators' offices just to chew the fat. When he walked into the state House of Representatives, he would greet everyone, freely dispensing hugs, no matter the politicians' affiliations. Of course, Washington isn't Austin, Texas; the goal posts are much farther apart here, the range of ideologies wider. But Bush's combination of easygoing style and solid determination have already served him well in Washington.

"People just like him, and he's an easy guy to help," says George Christian, a political affairs specialist and former press secretary to President Johnson. "It's easier to say yes to somebody you like than [to] some snarling dog. I've known him for a long time and he is straightforward. He's funny. He ... knows how to lighten things up." But Bush is also focused, says Mr. Christian, and can pick out a few agenda items to hammer away at - and then, when he's gotten what he wants, go on to three or four more.

"He's a Bubba ... who doesn't act like he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth," says Claudia Stravato, head of Planned Parenthood in Amarillo and former chief of staff to the late Bob Bullock, Texas's legendary Democratic lieutenant governor. "He doesn't have that Eastern patina, and he doesn't make people feel dumb. They don't really know his background ..., so they think they can identify with him. He runs, he shoots, he likes sports. He's the quintessential Texan."

Of course, Bush doesn't come from nowhere; he is the scion of a big political family, and he has his father's experience behind him. None of which is to suggest that Bush has an easy road ahead. He has pushed through policies that may not ultimately benefit lower-income supporters. "The mass public is not terribly well-informed; politics can be deliberately misleading," says Bruce Buchanan, the University of Texas professor. "The tax cut was portrayed as a middle-class program, but it is far from that."

So far, though, says Buchanan, Republican policies have not directly touched American lives - by, for instance, sending young people to war against Iraq. "He sent them a [tax rebate] check, and talked about education and about moving the agenda forward and ending gridlock," he says. The questions are what challenges lie ahead - both domestically and abroad - and whether Bush can keep the public with him.

• Staff writer Kris Axtman in Houston contributed to this report.

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