Secrets of the MBA Presidency: There must be a real reason for Bush's success

Opinion Journal ^ | 12/13/2002 | DANIEL HENNINGER

[Pokey78]

By most objective measures, the Bush presidency is succeeding. His approval rating remains above 60%, and the November election was a significant win. But I think the success extends beyond the standard political benchmarks. The more one discusses the Bush presidency with thoughtful people, and that includes increasing numbers of Democrats, the more one gets the impression that what they admire most is that Mr. Bush is effective--in a way that the Clinton presidency was not, or a Gore presidency wasn't likely to be. Why?

[woofie]

excellent!!!!!!

[The Truth Will Make You Free]

Well said!!

[End The Hypocrisy]

It helps to have a dad and a brother specializing in the same thing you do. Three heads can be better than one, as long as none have an ego the size of Bill Clinton's.

[Reagan Man]

>>>The MBA President seems to have a knack for surrounding himself with people who've proven good at absorbing the best lessons from both worlds, and producing results in both. Maybe that's why his presidency is working rather than floundering.

Real good article.

[potlatch]

Growing up in Midland, Texas taught him about 'the common people'. Running the 'Rangers' team taught him business, and governing the big state of Texas taught him everything else.

[Cobra64]

Excellent. I just sent it to about 47 people; 20 of whom are pretty lefty.

[jwh_Denver]

A wise man will surround himself with wise counsel.

[Hugin]

Their career paths begin with serious political experience, divert to serious business experience and return to high-level government service.

Also the modus operandi of the Bush family. They grow up immersed in politics, then are expected to become successful in business. Once they are independently wealthy they go back into politics.

[conservativemusician]

And achieving this is a bad thing?

[PatriotGames]

A very long winded but nevertheless well expressed.....Hire the best people then get out of the way! Ronald Reagan. :-)

[Hugin]

And achieving this is a bad thing?

Not at all, I admire it. Compare tht to the Kennedys who get a trust fund, and go straight from college to government without ever accomplishing anything in the real world.

[ConservativeDude]

"Running the 'Rangers' team taught him business"

There is more to this than you probably realize.

The Rangers gig was as much a political initiative as a business one. And it was the prototype for ever GWB initiative since that time: he built a bi-partisan team, stressed practicality (does it work?), built a first-tier management team of good solid relationships and managed them well. The result is that the bond election for the stadium got the highest percentage and raw number of votes as any referendum, candidate or anything on the ballot in history for the city.

He ran his governorship the same way, getting some very good legislation through the Democrat dominated legislature....again surrounding himself with loyal talent.

Is it any wonder that he is succeeding as Presidency? Obviously these prior experiences are the minor leagues as compared tothe presidency. The stage is bigger and much more complex; but the principles are enduring and if one finds principles that work early on, then they can be applied up the food chain.

[fightinJAG]

Outstanding, Pokey!

Reminds me of the recent Time mag article on Condi. Says the meetings she shares look like chaos, but W likes everyone to passionately state their views and even have conflict . . . then HE makes a decision.

The author was comparing this to previous White Houses where the chief staff officer's job was to move everyone to "consensus" before the Big Guy got involved.

[Willie Green]

The MBA President seems to have a knack for surrounding himself with people who've proven good at absorbing the best lessons from both worlds, and producing results in both.

The only results they're producing in the United States is increased
trade and budget deficits, and higher levels of unemployment.
Oh, government employment continues to increase as well.

[solo gringo]

I owned my own business for fourty five years. I would hire the best people and get out of thier way and let them do the job they were hired to do.IMHO President Bush is doing the same and that a good thing.

[deport]

An interesting article and maybe a little insight into what makes for effective leadership.... Not just some political gaff of the moment reaction.....

[Billthedrill]

They're still chanting "Bush is dumb" on the left while he tidily swallows the last scraps of their lunch. You hear that as well from some folks in the Canadian and sundry European governments who really ought to know better by now. Comforting illusions are the very most dangerous kind.

[okie01]

"...20 of whom are pretty lefty."

Meaning they will consider the business experience a negative, more than offsetting any positives an individual might have.

The Left believes that only slick politicians and policy wonks, supported by academics and "people who care", can be entrusted with governance.

Meanwhile, business is evil.

[Miss Marple]

Thanks, deport! Interesting article, and probably a pretty fair description of how he works.

And definitely more interesting than the "All Lott, All the Time" channel! LOL!