Its economy has weakened, yet the default path for fiscal policy is a hefty tightening as the Obama stimulus wanes, the states slash spending to balance their budgets and the Bush tax cuts expire.
The Democrats are still sore from their experience there in the presidential election two years ago: after a six-week run-off involving bitter legal wrangles, the result in Florida tipped the balance in favour of Mr Bush.
Mr Bush has been careful to balance practical types like his defence secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, with policy wonks.
The new congressional balance of power may prompt some changes in the Bush administration.
Mr Bush's officials say they must balance the demand for fair trials with the need to gather intelligence to fend off further terrorist attacks.
It is both hopeful and sobering, a difficult balance for the most skilled speaker to achieve, but Mr Bush manages it with ease.
Despite Mr Bush's insistence that spending restraint plus economic growth will balance the budget, there is little sign that the budget deficit is under control.
Compounding this destructive foolishness was the Bush Administration's belief that a weak dollar would help improve our trade balance.
Because the Bush Administration likes a weak dollar, feeling that it will improve our trade balance by artificially making our exports cheaper.
Bush is likely to build on his August momentum and keep John Kerry off balance through sharp speeches and ads -- as well as through Congress.
Bush's quick answer -- that his brother kept the country safe -- knocked Trump off balance as the crowd roared in approval.
CNN: 's Republican debate: Winners and losers - CNNPolitics.com
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