Frederick Bruckman wrote:
> For what it's worth, screen is on the short list of programs I install
> right away on every new host, and window isn't the equivalent at all.
> Screen is especially useful on older machines which will never have
> virtual consoles.

I think your only chance to put it in base is to find a program in base 
that is less essential than screen.

(I'm using Debian GNU/Linux and the first program I install is screen. 
After that, I open some virtual terminals in screen and continue with 
installing less, vim (these are not in Debian's base) and some other stuff.)

Regards,
ogi