* Scales Back Agenda to Schools, Trade, Energy as Clout Ebbs

[babylonsister]

Bush Scales Back Agenda to Schools, Trade, Energy as Clout Ebbs

By Edwin Chen



July 31 (Bloomberg) -- Steve LaTourette, a Republican congressman who represents northeastern Ohio, traveled with George W. Bush during the president's July 10 visit to Cleveland. As the men rode in a limo, Bush recited from memory the lineup of the celebrated 1954 Cleveland Indians baseball team.

``He was in great spirits,'' LaTourette recalled. At no time during the seven hours he spent with Bush did the president mention any new policy initiatives.

Once the champion of big reforms, Bush in twilight is on the defensive and pushing secondary initiatives. Instead of partial privatization of Social Security, which died in 2005, or overhauling immigration, which was killed this year, he wants to: roll back Democrats' social spending; enact a limited expansion of his No Child Left Behind school testing program; push modest energy programs that reduce dependence on foreign oil; win approval of a handful of regional free-trade deals.

While Bush may prevail in some spending fights, few politicians or historians say much of his scaled-back agenda is achievable in the waning days of an unpopular presidency. ``With that bully pulpit, you can never rule him out,'' said Senator Richard Shelby, an Alabama Republican. ``But no, I don't think he'll get anything more done.''

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Edwards, of Texas A&M, says Bush has exhausted his ability to persuade voters to change their minds. Said Edwards: ``His ability to sway public opinion is zero.''