The Right Man: The Surprise Presidency of George W. Bush.

• Author: Fischer, Raymond L.
• Position: 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...