Showing Up Is the First Step

Ellis Henican

September 14, 2001

Now that's more like it.

After two days of confusing signals, scripted utterances and a zigzagging cross-country dash, President George W. Bush finally seemed to regain his bearings yesterday.

He agreed to do what I and others have been urging him to do: He's coming to New York.

A good start, Mr. President.

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There's an awful lot of pain here, you know, and some amazing expressions of love. A city profoundly shaken. A staggering loss of life. The bravest group of rescuers you've ever laid eyes on.

And here was Bush on television talking on the phone from Washington with Gov. George Pataki and Mayor Rudy Giuliani, trying to make up for the wobbly start. At last, he was sounding like a man with an actual plan, even if he wasn't quite ready to reveal it.

"My resolve is steady and strong about winning this war that has been declared on America," Bush said into the Oval Office telephone.

His tone was no more commanding than it had been since Tuesday morning, when two hijacked planes slammed into the World Trade Center and forever changed New York. At least now he wasn't reading from index cards.

"I look forward to joining with both of you in thanking the police and fire, construction trade workers, the restaurant owners, the volunteers, all of whom have really made a huge display for the world to see of the compassion of America and the bravery of America and the strength of America," the president said, a small hint of emotion seeping into his voice.

"I want to thank everybody when I come."

Bush's words weren't exactly prosaic, but he was finally meeting life's first challenge. He was going to show up.

Said Bush: "This government will adjust, and this government will call others to join us, to make sure this act, these acts, the people who conducted these acts and those who harbor them, are held accountable for their actions, make no mistake."

Echoing Giuliani, Bush even expressed some worry about a growing tendency to scapegoat.

"I know I don't need to tell you all this," the president said. "But our nation must be mindful that there are thousands of Arab-Americans who live in New York City, who love their flag just as much as the three of us do, and we must be mindful that as we seek to win the war that we treat Arab-Americans and Muslims with the respect they deserve.

"I know that is your attitude as well, certainly the attitude of this government, that we should not hold one who is a Muslim responsible for an act of terror," he said.

Giuliani responded politely - or like a city official in immediate need of Washington's financial help. "You've done a terrific job, Mr. President," the mayor said.

So why did Bush take four days to come here?

Some people don't believe questions like that should even be asked. My e-mail and my voice mail are choked with people who think that way, spitting mad that I and a few other journalists even would open mouths at a time like this.

These patriots - and they are sincere in their zeal, I am sure of it - say we must squelch all inquiry for weeks or months to come, exchanging honest debate for a facade of perfect unity.

They forget it's an open society we are fighting for. It's a democracy we're defending against cowardly terrorist attacks. Not even a thug like Osama bin Laden would be swayed by a pretense like that.

And Bush seemed clearly to grasp the difference yesterday, reversing his early reluctance and hastily announcing this trip to New York.

The overture was intended in part, his aides acknowledged, to deflect a growing criticism over his first-blush reaction to the terror attacks.

Instead of heading directly back to Washington Tuesday - or flying straight to New York - Bush spent six frantic hours flying halfway across the country. While local officials confronted this unspeakable terror on the ground, the president hopscotched from one secret location to another, from Florida to Louisiana and then to Nebraska, before finally heading home.

Speaking briefly to reporters in Washington yesterday, the president tried to make the best of that.

"I believe I took the appropriate - I know, I don't believe - I know I took the appropriate actions as the commander in chief to be in a position to be able to make the decisions necessary for our government to handle the crisis," Bush said.

Welcome to New York, Mr. President. We've been waiting for you.