When does downturn become 'Bush recession'? (Government Busters).

When does a recession assume the name of the president in office?

That question is behind much of the Capitol Hill maneuvering these days over the contents of an economic stimulus package with both political parties positioning themselves for next year's congressional elections.

For all the media focus on the war against terrorism, politicians know that elections are usually won and lost on pocketbook issues. President Bush needs no greater example of that than his father. Polls put the senior Bush up in the 80 percentile in popularity when he was engaged in the Gulf War. Yet, he still lost re-election to an Arkansas governor, in large measure because he seemed indifferent to the economic downturn stateside.

Despite carefully calculated appearances designed to show his empathy…