The first words out of CNN s Judy Woodruff s mouth following President Bush s inaugural speech was to declare it uninspiring. He will use the bully pulpit to advocate his programs, but the emphasis will be on the programs, not the President. As a former journalist, I can tell you the DC press corps will go nuts with this new administration because they are famous for not leaking anything and not being gossips. Having thrived for eight years on endless missteps and scandals, from the initial Clinton gaff on gays in the military to his final deal with the independent counsel, reporters are going to feel starved by an administration that regards them as little more than people whose jobs it is to report what they are really saying and doing. Bush is not likely to be much bothered by the machinations of his opponents.
Conservative groups do the same thing.
I personally wish the National Rifle Association would stop sending requests for donations every week and demanding I renew my membership eight or nine months in advance. Watch the press jump on board for this popular measure. We are going to see Citizen Clinton slide swiftly back into public view as a vocal opponent of the new administration s programs and policies. Ex-Presidents are expected to go quietly into the night of retirement. This one will not.