But some say Mr. Bush is overdoing it to placate his many corporate backers. Last week, Mr. Bush hosted several hundred small-business owners in the East Room of the White House. Mr. Clinton also had many corporate backers and promoted business agenda items such as free trade. Analysts also credited Mr. Clinton for not criticizing the Federal Reserve Board, giving it political cover to fight inflation and fuel the record economic expansion of the 1990s. Some types of businesses will do better than others under the Bush administration, which seems to prefer smaller companies over the big corporations, analysts said.
Labor unions decline to draw that distinction.
Airplane mechanics have picketed the White House over the Northwest decision, saying it gives that airline and others too much bargaining leverage. In addition to supporting the repeal of workplace safety regulations, Mr. Bush signed four executive orders that were damaging to workers' rights and labor unions, he said. Those orders would infringe on the ability of unions to raise political funds from their workers and curtail the ability of labor to secure comprehensive contracts on construction and service work at federal facilities and construction sites. Some analysts said business should not expect a free ride from the Bush administration. Greg Valliere, managing director at Schwab Washington Research Group, noted that Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill has spoken out against corporate subsidies and that big business was disappointed in the tax cut package.