Bush's New 'Vision Thing' - big ideas, big gambles, big costs

More than many presidents, historians say, Mr. Bush seems to understand how to use the powers of the office and to see the political benefits in risk. He may leave the details to others, but when backed into a corner, he doubles his bets.

Of course, this is also magic-show time in Washington, when White House advisers work feverishly backstage to roll out what they hope will be dazzling ideas to lead in to the State of the Union address on Jan. 20, the day after the Iowa caucuses. In a re-election year, Mr. Bush's plan is to steal the show. So the warm-up acts started last week.

el - we may be saying "stealing the show" in another sense.