BUSH, HEGE PRESENT STRONG CONTRAST

Leadership comes in many different styles. What works best varies according
to the individual. I'm impressed with President Bush's leadership, as are
most Americans at this point. I like his style.

Bush is a humble leader. Unlike his predecessor, he doesn't act as if he's
smarter than everyone else. The fact is, he's not smarter than everyone
else. But he's smart enough to surround himself with highly talented people
- - Colin Powell, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Condoleezza Rice, John
Ashcroft. His ego doesn't stop him from heeding others' advice or letting
subordinates take the credit when that's appropriate.

But Bush is firm in his decisions. He explains them clearly and
convincingly. He's open and honest with the American people. In regard to
stem-cell research, he spoke at length about his struggle in confronting a
difficult ethical issue and he offered a reasonable compromise. After Sept.
11, he defined the nation's goals, expressed his resolve to achieve them
and outlined the long-term strategies that would be required. He called for
determination and patience.

The president faces a tough task, one he could not have been prepared to
undertake. Yet, his confidence has inspired Americans, who sense that the
nation is in good hands. We're fortunate to have a decent, honorable and
forthright leader in the White House at this time. That's not to say every
policy pronouncement will be the right one. Americans always will disagree
about taxes, social programs, energy and environmental matters, education
and other issues. But I trust Bush to do what he thinks is right for the
country. Some presidents have been more concerned about their own political
standing.

That makes Bush a rare leader. We're so often disappointed in the people
who hold positions of power and authority. Some leadership styles seem to
suit the leaders themselves rather than the people those leaders should be
serving.

Last week, bad news rocked the Davidson County Sheriff's Office, as three
vice-narcotics officers were charged by federal authorities with a long
list of offenses. Gerald Hege, the self-proclaimed toughest lawman in
America, apparently was unknowingly presiding over abuse of power and
corruption within his department.

His defenders quickly said it wasn't his fault, that he couldn't be held
accountable for a few bad men in his large command. That's questionable,
but let's accept it for now. To me, the strongest indictment of Hege's
leadership was the statement made in an FBI affidavit by one of the
suspects, who said Hege heard of the investigation but dismissed it as an
attempt by state law-enforcement officials to damage him politically. If
that's true, Hege set his own interests before those of his department and
the public. That echoes Richard Nixon during the Watergate era.

Hege's leadership style could not be more different from that of Bush. Hege
is boastful, not humble. He never yields center stage to subordinates but
always stands in the spotlight himself. He never acknowledges two sides of
an issue. It's always his way or the wrong way. And could anyone imagine
Bush dressing up in a commando outfit and posing for a picture holding a
sword and Osama bin Laden's head?

Hege has accomplished some good things. Crime has fallen while he's been
sheriff - as it has across the state and nation. Deputies reportedly
respond quickly to calls for assistance. But, if he wants to take credit
for those achievements, he has to be accountable for what goes wrong.

Hege will never lead in the same style as Bush. That's just not in his
makeup. The president's demeanor and his actions tell me we have the right
man in the White House. The sheriff of Davidson County has a different job
to do, and voters there can decide whether he should keep it. I'm more
comfortable with the law-enforcement leaders here in High Point and
Guilford County - even if they don't make as much news.