George W. Bush becomes president

On Saturday, January 20, George W. Bush took the oath of office to become the 43rd President of the United States. The oath was given to Bush by Chief Justice William Rehnquist in front the U.S. Capitol Building. Bush will have little time to celebrate, and will have to deal with some early challenges.

In his inauguration speech, Bush stressed the greatness of the United States. His speech talked about uniting the American people behind this nation's ideals. He said, "America has never been united by blood or birth or soil. We are bound by ideals that move us beyond our backgrounds, lift us above our interests, and teach us what it means to be citizens." He talked also about all Americans working together as citizens to solve some of the nation's most critical needs. He said, "Government has great responsibilities, for public safety and public health, for civil rights and common schools. Yet compassion is the work of a nation, not just a government."

Bush's picks for his administration faced confirmation hearings this past week. His nominees include former chairman of the Joint Chiefs Colin Powell for Secretary of State, Governor Tommy Thompson of Wisconsin as Secretary of Health and Human Services, former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld as Secretary of Defense, and Governor Christine Todd Whitman of New Jersey as head of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Two of his nominees faced tough hearings, former Senator John Ashcroft and former Attorney General of Colorado Gale Norton. Ashcroft has been picked by Bush to be his Attorney General, however his conservative views on abortion and gun control have caused many Democrats to oppose his nomination. Also, environmental groups have opposed Norton's nomination to Secretary of the Interior.

There are several issues that will confront Bush in his first few weeks. One of the most critical involves the power shortage in California. California had deregulated its power market in 1996. The two major utilities in California, Southern California Edison and Pacific Electric and Gas, are both facing bankruptcy. Bush has said that the problem will need to be dealt with by the state government.

Bush has said that his first policy initiative will be education reform. His plan calls for penalties for failing schools, school choice for parents, and will include a program that will teach every child to read by the third grade. Another of Bush's early initiatives will be his large tax cut. Also, Bush will have to deal with Senator John McCain, who wants to push his campaign finance reform bill in the next few weeks.