Bush, GOP could face rough road

Even with Republicans in control, Bush's agenda has been stalled, his blueprints for overhauling Social Security and immigration collecting dust.

Time and history are not on his side.

"It seems like most presidents get less done in the last two years than they did in the earlier part of their term," said Charles Black, a GOP strategist with close ties to the White House. "Some of it is you don't have as much influence. People are paying attention to who might come next instead of who is there now."

Before they leave, presidents sometimes try to shape their legacy with foreign policy victories. Clinton desperately sought a Middle East peace agreement in the closing days of his presidency but failed. The Middle East offers scant hope for Bush, too. Trouble spots like North Korea and Iran look bleak.

Bush insists he has a lot to do and isn't slowing down. After the election, he plans to send Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson to Capitol Hill to see what's possible in terms of overhauling the financially troubled Social Security and Medicare programs.

"The general approach is to be activist and tackle big stuff," White House press secretary Tony Snow said. "You've got a very energized and motivated White House. We're going to see how Congress is in dealing with this. Maybe it's just wishful thinking but we may be approaching the point of mudslinging burnout."

Even if Democrats win, Bush still would have clout. As commander in chief, he is responsible for American forces. There isn't much talk about Congress cutting off funds for war.

Probably the most potent weapon in Bush's arsenal would be his veto pen and, almost certainly, a veto-sustaining minority if Democrats took the House.

He also would have the power of executive orders allowing him to make big moves without Congress' approval. Clinton used that authority, for example, to protect vast tracts of public land from road-building, logging and mining.

Democrats and Republicans alike suggest there are areas of possible agreement on issues such as alternative fuel sources and the No Child Left Behind education law that has to be renewed next year.

A key question is whether Democrats, Republicans and the White House decide it's in their political interest to get some things done.

"An awful lot can happen in two years," said Leon Panetta, a onetime Democratic congressman who became Clinton's chief of staff. "In many ways it can determine his legacy as president of the United States. If there's nothing but gridlock these last two years, mark my words: He's not going to have a very high place in history in terms of his presidency."

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Terence Hunt has covered the White House for The Associated Press since the Reagan presidency.