Billings Gazette: Bush "ensures he won't spend four years as a lame duck"

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

Bush heads to Crawford for August vacation

By BILL STRAUB
Scripps Howard News Service

August 2, 2005

Last modified August 2, 2005 - 2:48 pm

http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2005/08/02/build/nation/25-bush-vacation.inc

WASHINGTON -- President Bush left for his traditional midsummer break Tuesday having accomplished the first goal of his second term -- ensuring he wouldn't spend four years as a lame duck. Before heading to the ranch in Crawford, Texas, the president celebrated congressional passage of his long-stalled energy bill -- a goal he has sought since moving into the White House -- and approval of the Central American Free Trade Agreement.

But the early success doesn't end there. Bush oversaw passage of the $286 billion transportation bill, which had been stalled in Congress for two years, and the Patriot Act appears well on its way to renewal. The House and Senate are expected to reconcile their differences this fall before major sections of the anti-terrorism legislation expire.

Not bad for a presidency not even eight months into a second term, particularly one that critics have tried to characterize as lame-duck since Bush again took the oath of office. It has not escaped the notice of the White House.

"I think it's important for the American people to hear about the important progress that we're making when it comes to our economy," said Scott McClellan, the president's press secretary. "And it's something we'll continue to talk about because this is something that impacts their daily lives." McClellan said Bush intends to "build on the policies we have in place to keep our economy growing stronger." The president seems to be faring well on other fronts, too.

[Canuckistanian]

1. Anyone else see the irony here?

* declares he won't be a "lame duck", then removes himself from the job for a record-breaking vacation.

Nice work ethic, Chimpy.

[Botany]

2. Shut up Scott!

"I think it's important for the American people to hear about the important progress that we're making when it comes to our economy," said Scott McClellan, the president's press secretary.

Your boss and his rich friends are killing the middle class