-Caveat Lector-
U.S.News and World Report
Outlook 2/19/01
By Paul Bedard
Say so long to the Blue Goose
He's not exactly copying Jimmy Carter's sweater vest simplicity,
but President Bush is putting a decidedly humble stamp on the
White House, shelving the pomp and circumstance that gave former
President Clinton a thrill. Gone is the Marine Corps band
playing "Hail to the Chief" at every event. Closeted is the
hulking "Blue Goose" armored podium. In its place at most
events: a simple toast lectern with a clay presidential seal
dangling off the front. Eliminated: the large presidential
entourages that used to follow Clinton. What's up? "He doesn't
have to fake it. He knows who he is and doesn't need the
frills," boasts an insider. White House image-makers say they
want to reserve the presidential symbols for major events, like
the rollout of Bush's tax plan. One example: The Blue Goose is
for Rose Garden or East Room use only. But "We're not sitting in
the Oval saying, 'How can he look modest?' It's just weird to
play 'Hail to the Chief' at every event," says another associate.
In fact, Bush's limited use of presidential symbols looks good
when compared with Clinton's overuse: "We're successful by doing
nothing."
Follow the money
Congress is looking into claims that former President Clinton
overspent the White House budget in the first quarter of the
fiscal year. Cash-starved Bush officials tell lawmakers that more
than half of the budget was spent in just over three months.
Bush press aides, who have downplayed differences with Clinton,
won't discuss the numbers, saying only that they aren't unusual.
In focus: bonuses paid to ex-staffers.
Only the lonely?
Supporters of Bill Clinton: Don't fret anymore about the lack of
defenders for His Loneliness. The former prez has hired 17
aides, and they're working in offices next to the White House
complex.
Second opinion
There's a new doctor in town, and he's handy with a scalpel.
Mitch Daniels, head of the Office of Management and Budget, tells
us that he is resurrecting OMB's tough-guy role. Every budget,
rule, and regulation will face a "second opinion" before getting
OK'd.
Safe house
When former Attorney General Janet Reno left town, her pad at the
tony Lansburgh apartment building just off Pennsylvania Avenue
was a hot property. Features included 20 telephone lines and a
bulletproof front door. Freshman Sen. Jean Carnahan of Missouri
was among those offered the vault, but she says it was too much.
Before a businessman rented it, Justice stripped out all the
goodies.
FBI shootout
Attorney General John Ashcroft says he'll play ball with FBI
Director Louis Freeh. Basketball, that is. During Ashcroft's
first meeting with Freeh, the AG's deputy chief of staff, David
Israelite, asked if his boss, an avid pro and college basketball
fan, could shoot hoops at the FBI gym across the street. Freeh
had a better idea. How about teams; he'll even give Team
Ashcroft some locker space.
Mean streets
New Democratic National Committee boss Terry McAuliffe is
preparing for the mother of all political wars. He wants to
triple spending on what Washington politely calls "oppo
research"�dirt-digging on the other guys. McAuliffe told allies
he wants to make his shop as good as the GOP "OR" team.
Ironically, his rivals have switched from researching enemies to
helping President Bush sell his new programs.
Change happens
With the White House and Congress controlled by Republicans,
lobbying firms that thrive on divided government are having a
tough time scratching up new business. One that's been through
troubled times in the past has a new idea. Washington's
Jefferson Consulting Group has jumped into bed with the
government, sort of. Its new Jefferson Solutions branch has
landed megacontracts to show the IRS and the Navy how to operate
like a business. "When you think about a lobbying firm, you
don't think about them getting government contracts," 'fesses
Jefferson boss Robert Thompson.
With love, Bill
Former President Clinton didn't just take gifts upon leaving
office. He gave some, too. One recipient says Clinton gave
agency and cabinet heads Lenox bowls engraved with a thank you
for helping "America be a place called Hope."
T&A: T-bills & assets
Here are two guys who won't notice that Baywatch is going off the
air: Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan and Treasury Secretary Paul
O'Neill. It's strictly green eyeshades when this dynamic duo
hooks up to jaw. "We do talk about things like the savings
function," O'Neill says.
Sax sells
Former President Clinton is near deciding to toot his sax at the
San Remo Song Festival in Italy at the end of the month. His fee
to appear before the tanned and buffed Riviera crowd: $250,000.
Velvet Hammer
Is "The Hammer" going soft? It looked like it when House
Republican Whip Tom DeLay, known as "The Hammer" for his rather
convincing tactics with GOP gadflies, began speaking at the
secret party confab in Williamsburg, Va., this month. According
to our notetaker, DeLay, a carnation in his lapel and one behind
his ear, gave a slide show explaining the new bipartisanship
being pushed by President Bush. With lawmakers expecting sparks,
DeLay talked of loving old foes, compared Washington to TV's
Mayberry, and even hugged himself for impact. Just as he
suggested holding hands and singing "Kumbaya," he smirked a
"yeah, right," and threw his speech away. The Hammer lives.
With Kenneth T. Walsh, Chitra Ragavan, Suzi Parker, Gary Cohen,
and Jodie T. Allen
E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Access isn't spelled 'l-e-a-k'
Here's one way President Bush is changing Washington's culture:
His press guy has gained unusual access to the boss�he sees him
more than does Laura Bush�but he isn't leaking to every scribbler
in town. It's a crime against journalism, reporters cry. But to
the new sheriff in town, Ari Fleischer, it's S.O.P. "The trick
is to have the right judgment, so you can go in a meeting and
when you come out you know what you can share and not share with
the press." Every administration talks about staying on message
and plugging leaks; this one does it. And it's not because
Fleischer is AWOL from the Oval Office. He spends up to half his
17-hour day in meetings with Bush. "I just walk in anytime I
need to." That's access�he just doesn't spill his guts about
everything he sees, we're sorry to say. Wire-service reporters
love it: They're not chasing down leaks all day. But their TV
brethren hate it, because leaks show that they're in the know.
"There's a sense that the press will never be satisfied,"
Fleischer says, "unless the Oval Office has 'President Cam.' "
IN QUOTES
"When you win by as big a margin as we won, I think it's fair to
say that everybody is a key to the president's re-election." Ari
Fleischer, White House spokesman
"It was hard for me to concentrate in the conversation with
Condoleezza Rice because she has very nice legs." Ariel Sharon,
Israeli prime minister-elect, on President Bush's
National-security adviser
"I think Clinton is going to turn into a human ATM." Jack
Valenti, Hollywood lobbyist, on Bill Clinton's speaking fees
"We're gonna find out the truth. You don't want the truth."
James Carville, pledging to prove that Al Gore won
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Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh, YHVH, TZEVAOT
FROM THE DESK OF:
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