He said he was going to be a conciliator and not a divider. After eight years of divided, contentious government under President Clinton America was skeptical.  But President Bush meant what he said and has selected policies and programs that have appeal to both parties as the first phase of his agenda.
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But the big change has been in the tone and manners of the new President and his administration.  President Bush calls it the return to civility.  His calm, cool manner has been the curve ball the Democrats were not expecting. It has been President Bush’s quiet talk, politeness and calmness that have disarmed the Democrats.
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Increasingly the talk is of issues and not of personalities.  More and more the talk is of the return to civility in Washington and less of slash and burn.  Even the most strident Democrats have muted their attacks.  This will be a major change in Washington if it can be sustained.  If successful it will probably be carried over into international relations and issues.