Bush Administration - Bush and Congress
Bush and Congress
Upon assuming the presidency, Bush sought to cultivate a friendlier relationship with Congress than had Ronald Reagan. Both the 101st and 102d Congresses were controlled by Democrats, where they maintained advantages of at least 10 seats in the Senate and 80 seats in the House throughout Bush's term. Facing this largest opposition majority in Congress of any newly elected president in history, Bush embarked on a strategy of conciliation towards his opposition in the Democrat-controlled Congress, inviting senators and representatives to his living quarters and bestowing attention upon opposition leaders. Personal relations and loyalty had always been important to Bush, and he hoped to overcome the difficulties of divided government by maintaining what he called a civilized relationship with the Democrats in Congress.
As the inaugural glow faded, however, Bush was surprised to find that the Democrats he had...
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