Seen by many as the front-runner in the GOP race, Bush has pledged to stay in Texas during the session, instead of traveling to places such as New Hampshire and Iowa key states in the early primary process. After the session, he will travel to different parts of the United States before making a final decision on whether to officially enter the race, Bush spokeswoman Karen Hughes said. He hasn t formally declared his candidacy but has set up an Al Gore 2000 campaign. His spokesman, Roger Salzar, said it s no surprise that Bush gets such high marks from his home state. He hopes that will change in the future.
Campaigns are about ideas and visions.
We need to get out there and tell people what we re all about. Political observers say Bush doesn t face the same problems as other candidates. Elizabeth Dole has a famous name but has never been elected to anything, but she still is a strong contender. That means he s uniquely vulnerable and will be picked over with a fine-tooth comb. People are going to be hammering at him.