http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&contentId=A28611-2001Dec11¬Found=true...
"He understands with clarity," Rove said. "He has developed an extraordinary set of interchanges and relationships" with Congress. He is "obviously in the moment," and yet "he remains keenly interested in the domestic agenda." He has an "optimistic and inclusive view" and has created a "collegial and positive" White House atmosphere, creating "an incredibly positive experience." Bush is "more compelling" and is able "to give compassion" like no other.
But weren't there any disappointments? "If there's something that surprised him in a negative way, I'm not aware of it," the strategist averred. "One of his major disappointments was he no longer had access to e-mail."
To questions about whether the attacks of Sept. 11 turned Bush into a better leader, Rove answered that Bush was a great leader all along. "I for one don't buy this theory that September 11th somehow changed George Bush," Rove said. "You're just paying better attention. He is who he is. You're either inspired at the pulpit or you're not. You're either capable of rising to it or you're not."
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Rove told his audience about Bush's sense of command on Sept. 11, after Rove received word that the first tower of the World Trade Center had been struck. "The president came walking in the room, took one look at the television set and said, 'We're at war. Get me the vice president. Get me the director of the FBI.' "
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