what was that about the merger of state/military with corporate power? presto: fascism! (benito mussolini)

For Bush -- who also spent the night aboard the carrier -- the whole day was devoted to linking his presidency to the aura of the U.S. military. When the Viking S-3B carrying Bush made its tailhook landing on the aircraft carrier off California yesterday, Bush emerged from the cockpit in full olive flight suit and combat boots, his helmet tucked jauntily under his left arm. As he exchanged salutes with the sailors, his ejection harness, hugging him tightly between the legs, gave him the bowlegged swagger of a top gun.

The carrier landing capped a recent period in which the president has tied himself to the military as never before. And that is no accident: Bush aides are planning to make his war leadership the focus of his 2004 reelection campaign, and yesterday's images are crucial in burning that impression into the national cornea.

"It has a huge visual impact," said an admiring Michael Deaver, who created such images for Ronald Reagan, including the Gipper's famous Normandy speech. "This is a powerful, powerful visual, not only of Bush as commander in chief, but of his strength as a world leader."

[...]

Before leaving for San Diego yesterday, Bush assembled about 150 military chaplains at the White House for a prayer breakfast. Last week, he climbed aboard a tank in Ohio and delivered a patriotic speech surrounded by five of the fighting machines. Earlier, he went to Ft. Hood in Texas and met with the Americans who had been prisoners of war in Iraq. Even the Easter Egg Roll at the White House took on a military theme; it was changed this year to focus on the children of servicemen and women.

If the theme weren't clear enough, Bush issued a proclamation declaring yesterday "Loyalty Day, 2003." Bush's proclamation urged Americans to "reaffirm our allegiance to our country" and heralded "America's men and women in uniform."

But yesterday's arrival on the carrier, followed by a speech to the nation and an overnight aboard, is without precedent among modern presidents, historians said. Harry Truman, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson had their moments on battleships. But historians said they could not recall a president dressing in military gear since Teddy Roosevelt would strap on his old Rough Rider pistol before meeting with troops -- and that was before television could take the image into American homes.

[...]

Ralph Neas of the liberal group People for the American Way, cautioned: "Problems arise when a president uses patriotism and the flag not as unifying things but as political weapons. I believe they crossed the line in 2002 and am worried they'll do the same in 2004."

[...]

The image of Bush as victorious war leader is a complete turnaround from the 2000 campaign, when he dodged criticism of his light duty as pilot of an F-102 in the Texas National Guard. Yesterday, making his way to the Lincoln aboard a jet that can carry up to 3,958 pounds of missiles, torpedoes, rockets and bombs, the victorious commander in chief recalled his days in the Guard with fondness.

"I miss flying, I can tell you that," he said, telling reporters he was at the controls for a third of his flight to the carrier from the coast, which at times through the day was visible from the Lincoln. Later, wearing a white life-vest with "Commander in Chief" on the back and a helmet, he moved quickly along the deck, flashing a thumbs-up and shaking hands with sailors.