PAPER CHASE (CONT.)

and others be far behind?

A real unifier, as Bush fancies himself, would actually reach across the aisle to the opposition party and try to work with them instead of against them. At some point most people realize you can't win all the time and change tactics to accomplish goals. Team Bush, heady with high poll numbers because of Sept. 11, ignoring the downward path those numbers are taking and believing in their own invincibility has chosen to forge ahead on their energy package believing no energy package is better than something besides D-R-I-L-L.

Bush's campaign slogan of being a uniter and not a divider rang hollow in 2000 to those who bothered to research it. Its hollow ring is even more profound when the Bush energy policy is examined.