At five-hour forum, Bush tries to showcase economic policies

WACO, Texas -- President Bush tried to shore up his administration's credibility on the economy with a made-for-television forum that was a largely scripted tribute to his policies for putting the country back on course.

The White House had described the 240 invitees for Tuesday's five-hour forum as a diverse group. But speakers lauded Bush's policies and urged him to pursue his proposals. Many read from speeches prepared by trade groups allied with the White House.

Bush chimed in with folksy pleasantries about the Texas heat but engaged in little policy debate; he called the session at Baylor University an important report from "the front lines of the America economy."

Bush acknowledged too many people have lost jobs and retirement savings, and declared his determination to bolster the economic recovery by restraining spending and fighting Democratic efforts to roll back future phases of his 10-year tax cut.

The forum, with its elaborate lighting, logos and sets, was laced with political significance. Bush's buoyant poll ratings are being dragged down by growing concerns about the economy, and Democrats have broken their wartime truce following a spate of corporate scandals, layoff announcements and troubling statistics. All of this has given his staff 1992 flashbacks, when George H.W. Bush's once-formidable re-election chances foundered along with the economy.

Administration officials said a key purpose of the forum was for President Bush to be seen expressing concern and working hard on the economy in the midst of a monthlong working vacation at his ranch in Crawford, 25 miles from here.

"If somebody wants to work and can't find a job, we have a problem and we need to do something about it here in America," Bush said.

Democrats excluded

Democratic congressional leaders have been suggesting a White House economic summit since January but were excluded from Tuesday's meeting. Terence McAuliffe, the Democratic National Committee chairman, accused Bush of grandstanding before an audience heavy on Republican contributors.

Bush took one action Tuesday. He announced he'll spurn $5.1 billion in spending that Congress had included in an anti-terrorism bill. Congress lumped in several unrelated projects, Bush said.

"A limited and focused government is essential to a growing economy, and if the Congress won't show spending restraint, I intend to enforce spending restraint," he said.