Tony Clark on Bush: Mideast, media and looking 'presidential'

CNN's Tony Clark

From his vantage point in Austin, Texas, CNN National Correspondent Tony Clark has been watching George W. Bush transform from candidate to president-elect. Clark took a few minutes to answer questions from CNN.com.

Q: How will the Bush administration's Mideast policy differ from the Clinton Mideast policy?

CLARK: It's going to be different in that the emphasis that Bush and his advisers have made is that the Mideast parties themselves must make the decision to go forward with a peace agreement. The Bush camp has hinted that it would take a less active role in the peace process than the Clinton administration has taken. They signaled that, while they were interested in a role in the process, it's not going to be the same degree of personal activity.

Q: How much White House access do you expect the Bush administration to give the news media?

CLARK: That's difficult to gauge at this point. The Bush campaign has been very careful about what is said and when things are said. In terms of transition they have held back any information about Cabinet choices except for Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice. The indications are they would hold information close to the vest.

A senior aide told me they want to be the ones who determine the timing of things and not simply react to leaks. The president-elect's closest staff is extraordinarily loyal to him, so you won't see leaks from the top echelons. But as the staff grows I think there's the possibility of leaks.

Q: Are Bush staffers putting a lot of effort into making sure Bush appears "presidential"?

CLARK: The whole look around president-elect Bush has changed since the election was finalized. He now rides in a presidential limousine. Streets are blocked off as the car drives by. The settings where he speaks are now more presidential.

However, the biggest problem he faces is that his picks for Cabinet positions threaten to outshine him. After Powell announced, Bush said he would take some questions from the press and all the questions were directed at Powell. And that's the biggest risk: that Bush Cabinet members might outshine him.

One of the things he is trying to do to overcome this threat is assert that he's in charge. Bush is using phrases such as "I will set the priorities" and "The vice president will act at my direction."