Eddie Haskell Meets The GOP?

Texas Gov. George W. Bush is now President-elect Bush. But what will happen to Al Gore, and can Bush do what he has promised?

Craig Crawford, CBS News political consultant and editor-in-chief of The Hotline, summed up for The Early Show Thursday morning, speaking from Washington to Anchor Bryant Gumbel.

Bush and Gore may have both called for unity Wednesday night. But the political reality will no doubt be much easier said than done.

"I think George W. Bush did his best to offer the olive branch to the Democrats," says Crawford. "One thing that was missing in that speech was the centerpiece of his campaign, which was the across-the-board tax cut. There was no mention of that."

How far did Gore's speech go toward uniting his own party?

"There were some interesting fighting words tucked inside his speech," Crawford observes. "It was very gracious and eloquent. But he did use phrases like 'unending struggle,' I think, speaking directly to African Americans, saying he would stay committed to lifting the burden. There were some fighting words in there. You could see the beginnings of the Al Gore 2004 campaign."

Crawford also says he thinks Gore successfully walked a fine line.

"He did say he opposed the Supreme Court decision. I think he managed that high-wire act between not looking like a sore loser, but at the same time sending a signal to the folks in the party he wants to keep on his side. And I think, almost certainly, (he) will consider -- if not, pursue -- the nomination in 2004."

What about Bush? He talked about changing the tone in Washington.

"As he was saying that, an ice storm moved into the city," Crawford says. "There's no honeymoon in a shotgun wedding, and that's what this thing looks like. I don't think Democrats will give him much of a break."

He does not think they'll be disinclined to look so partisan?

"I think Democrats will be a lot like Eddie Haskell in Leave It To Beaver: polite when the adults are in the room, but behind the scenes, real jerks. They're going to manipulate every way they can to win Congress."

Bush talked about bringing in a bipartisan faction. Will this be possible?

"Congressional leaders on Capitol Hill...(are) used to fighting the White House and positioning against them. Certainly Tom DeLay, the House majority whip, has not signaled much willingness to get along, saying, 'We own the House, the Senate, the White House. Therefore, we own the agenda.'"

And how will Bush deal with the partisanship of Capitol Hill?

"This will be interesting to watch," Crawford concludes. "In the Texas legislature, he had a pretty easy time. But Texas Democrats are not lefties."