The Bush Rescue Mission

By DAVID ELLIS/

George Bush has always had a love-hate relationship with political handlers. The President despised the way aides to Ronald Reagan wantonly stage-managed the older man's affairs. But Bush relied heavily on advisers during the 1988 campaign, particularly when he was bogged down or distracted. Last week, as Bush tried to extricate himself from the budget mess, several of his closest pals conspired to rescue their leader. The plans, however, differed: Commerce Secretary Robert Mosbacher told Bush to veto the budget plan and run hard against Democrats. Secretary of State James Baker opined, "Get out of this as quickly as possible." Heeding Baker, Bush accepted the compromise deal. Embarrassed White House officials, including some who contributed to the problem, tried to pour cold water over rescue-mission reports. But as one longtime Bush adviser acknowledged, "Bush hates handlers, but he needs them."

With reporting by DANIEL S. LEVY