Gergen added that Bush has tough problems to solve, among them maintaining the country's stature in the world community. "We need to try to shape the world so it is a more prosperous, democratic and free place. That is a very large undertaking, and there is a growing danger that we are going to slip." -->

One of the places we are starting to slip, according to Gergen, is in our hold on technical jobs, which are increasingly moving overseas.

He said the way to keep those jobs is through a better-educated citizenry.

During the interview, Gergen said he thinks his most important role right now is to pass on what he's learned to the next generation — a generation that, while more optimistic and service-oriented than some previous ones, is reluctant to enter the political arena.

"They want to achieve change through their own personal volunteering, but they're not as interested in voting or joining political movements or going out and working in politics," he said. "We need to inspire them somehow. I think politicians have to get in and clean up the system, but young people need to get in and clean it up, too."

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E-mail: mdecker@desnews.com