He can then amass great credit and apply the power that popularity will bring to hold Congress, win reelection, gain more power, and dictate policies more to his liking. The looming iceberg is the 2002 midterm elections. Republicans will need a popular president to win. Four early and big Bush victories will get us there. First, a muscular tax cut sold as a method to keep the economy from falling into recession.
Tax cuts are most popular when people feel economic pressure.
Voters know tax cuts create growth and jobs. The Bush administration is sounding a perfect note on this. A tax cut for the sake of the economy is a winner. The Democrats have been reduced to hapless bickering over the size of the Bush tax cut. This gives Bush a wonderful opportunity to outwit them.