nternational experience. Nixon in his book Leaders said "virtually all great leaders . . . have been great readers," something which mediocre Yale student Bush never has pretended to be (330). Expectations were, therefore, low when he entered office. A minority president, who had failed to garner a majority of the popular vote, Bush had no clear agenda to govern.
Bush's first eight months in office presented a mixed picture. He was generally recognized to have selected an overall outstanding cabinet especially in the national security arena. At the same time his seeming deference to Vice President Richard Cheney suggested that he was not quite ready to assume the responsibilities of President. Many of his public presentations appeared to be wooden, even boring. Carlsen said "when Bush listened to his p.r. team and worried about his image, he was at his worst" (50). Bush effectively shepherded his #1 'signature' campaign issue, his proposed tax cut, thr
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