During his term, his popularity at home remains high. His popularity outside the state grows, too. He's in demand for Republican Party functions across the country. He makes speeches.
Pundits take note.
They start mentioning him as presidential timber for 2000. On Oct. 30, George W. Bush stood on the lawn of the white-columned Governor's Mansion. First lady Laura Bush was by his side. His top political adviser, Karl Rove, was looking on. The topic was politics.