Election 2000: How Can He Govern?

With the power of the office sapped and Congress split, will the job be worth having?

Sometimes when two children fight over a precious toy, they squabble and yowl and tug at the treasure until a grownup steps in, separates them and awards it to one or the other. And sometimes by then, the toy turns out to be broken, and the winner ends up as sad and bitter as the loser.

The presidency isn't broken, at least not yet. Bill Clinton's impeachment proved how sturdy the office still is. But as Al Gore and George W. Bush squabble and tug and await the outcome in Florida, the office of the 43rd President is being diminished. Even...

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