D. Miller from Peoria, AZ asks:

Do you think President Bush will face the same witch hunt mentality that plagued President Clinton?

Sonia Jarvis responds:

Unfortunately our political climate has changed to the point where any president may expect to have his personal shortcomings or past mistakes become grist for the media mill. While it is appropriate for Congress and other federal agencies to investigate serious allegations of wrongdoing, especially those that affect the common weal, our political process seems more attuned to leveling allegations no matter how insubstantial rather than in achieving real justice.

Others may respond that because of his personal behavior and demeanor, President Bush will not face the same scrutiny the Clintons faced, but I would argue that the revelations about Mr. Bush's drunk driving record very late in the campaign would suggest otherwise.

Theodore Lowi responds:

I disagree with the premise. President Clinton brought on most of his miseries himself, and it didn't take a witch hunt to expose them. What I lament is the practice that developed well before Clinton of both parties trying to alter political power by assassinating the opposition leaders one by one.

This is what two colleagues of mine, Professors Benjamin Ginsberg and Martin Shefter had in mind in their book, whose title says it all: "Politics By Other Means." If we are to restore party government, we need strong parties that can engage in robust but civil partisanship over policy questions. A good example is the debate over the Ashcroft nomination; the fight is over genuine policy differences.

Next question...

1) Is bipartisanship a realistic goal?

2) What will Bush have to do to garner Democrats' support?

3) Is bipartisanship only being discussed because it's currently popular?

4) Won't the real control over the political agenda come with Bush's appointments?

5) Will President Bush face the same political climate as President Clinton?

6) Will the transition in government really change the way the government does business?

The U.S. House of Representatives
The U.S. Senate
The White House