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Sometimes skepticism is justified. Bush insists the program is a success, and the corporations that dodged regulation seem to agree. So far, lobbyists, lawyers and executives for companies operating the 100 worst grandfathered plants have contributed more than $1 million to his presidential campaign, according to an analysis by Public Research Works, an Austin watchdog group. "They're hoping Bush will be making environmental policy at the national level next year," says the group's executive director, Robin Schneider.
Bush's environmental record has Al Gore licking his chops. Texas leads the country in a frightening array of toxin- and carcinogen-release statistics, and last year Houston passed Los Angeles for the dubious distinction of America's smoggiest city. Though some emission levels have declined in recent years, four metro areas are flunking EPA clean-air standards. To achieve compliance, Houston will have to reduce nitrous-oxide emissions as much as 90%. Faced with this crisis--and the presidential race--Texas officials are moving quickly to draw up new plans to reduce emissions. And Bush has asked his regulators to consider adopting California's strict auto-emission standards. "It's funny--the closer he gets to the general election," says Ken Kramer, director of the Sierra Club's Texas chapter, "the more of an environmentalist he becomes. But his record doesn't lie."
Bush's record represents his best shot at convincing voters that he isn't just a new kind of favorite son--a way for a father to avenge defeat or party elders to retake the White House. It is also a window on what kind of President he would be: a nimble leader who bonds with the players, exploits his charm and energy, but also takes what he can get, sees what he wants to see and has no problem getting along with entrenched power.
--With reporting by James Carney with Bush and S.C. Gwynne/Austin