And if members of Congress are cyncial about Bush's expected proposal, they say they are optimistic about Bush's advisers. Director of the Office of Management and Budget Richard G. Darman '64, for one, is well-respected on Capitol Hill, according to Wirth.

"Darman is very smart," says Wirth. "He understands the problems and he's very pragmatic. I'm sure he'll have a significant influence on the administration."

So far, the only economic proposal coming out of the White House was met with widespread protest. Bush's suggested fee on savings accounts to help bail out the troubled Savings and Loan industry, drew fire from congressional leaders like Wirth, who serves on the Banking and Budget Committee.

And in Washington this week, some observers were already grumbling about how long Bush was waiting to put his government in place and set his agenda. Testifying on Tuesday, Greenspan was criticized by Senate and House members for alleged policy conflicts with the president.

But most observers are waiting for February 9, when Bush will unveil his budget plan, before passing final judgement. In the end, experts say Bush, like Reagan before him, will be measured by his ability to reduce the deficit and avoid a recession. Lacking a clear mandate for other policies, the Bush legacy may hinge solely on the balance sheet for 1989 through 1992.

Says Gradison, a senior House Republican, "Bush in 1992 is going to have to face the question of what progress has been made in moving towards the elimination of the budget deficit."