In an interview published in the Dec. 25 issue to be on the stand Monday, Bush told Time the close and hard-fought race gives politicians "a chance to show we can rise above a divided house, that there are some issues – educating our children, taking care of our seniors, making sure the retirement system is working, protecting the peace and our economic strength – that are more important than that which has divided the house.''
Bush said he would push for major tax cuts, vowing not to compromise with Democrats, who hold 50 seats in the Senate and are a slim minority in the House.
"Well, I'm not prepared to compromise. I think it's the right size. … Tax relief is not only an opportunity to trust people with their money; tax relief also says the economy may be a little softer than we want to admit,'' he told Time.
He also vowed to move to reform Social Security.
And despite barely eking out an Electoral College victory – if all electors in fact vote as pledged Dec. 18 – and losing the popular vote by more than 300,000, Bush said he feels he has a mandate.
"The issues are very powerful in a campaign, and the issues helped me gain this position,'' Bush said.
Bush wasn't as positive about possible campaign finance reform. Primary foe Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in early primaries hurt Bush on the topic of campaign finance reform. Bush by that point had raised nearly $70 million.
Bush lost by a 9-1 margin among blacks nationwide, and he hopes to make amends. He nominated retired Gen. Colin L. Powell Saturday to be his secretary of state and planned to nominate Condoleezza Rice to be his national security adviser Sunday afternoon. Both are black, and Rice is a woman.
"I think it's going to be dramatic to name African-Americans to positions of power, because that signals George W. Looks at people for who they are and not who they voted for,'' he said.
He said a big misconception about him – citing his Texas and Republican roots – is that he is insensitive on racial issues.
Bush also denied jibes that he lacks intellectual curiosity: "I admire a good thinker – particularly if they're practical. And I like to read a good book.''
Bush said he has talked – albeit briefly – with President and Hillary Clinton, discussing how they dealt with their daughter, Chelsea, in the White House. He praised them for a good job and asked them about security arrangements at Stanford University, where Chelsea attends classes. Bush has twin daughters: one at his alma mater, Yale, and one at the University of Texas.
Despite the post-Election Day battle for electoral votes, Bush said he does not resent Vice President Al Gore.
And for 2004? Gore? Hillary Clinton?
"I look forward to my swearing-in'' on Jan. 20, he said.
Copyright 2000 by United Press International.
All rights reserved.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.