Posted on 04/19/2006 7:32:13 AM PDT by LouAvul
WASHINGTON - White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove is giving up his policy portfolio and press secretary Scott McClellan is resigning, continuing a shakeup in President Bush's administration that has already yielded a new chief of staff.
A senior administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the president had not yet made the announcement, said Wednesday that Rove is giving up oversight of policy development to focus more on politics with the approach of the fall midterm elections.
Just over a year ago, Rove was promoted to deputy chief of staff in charge of most White House policy coordination. That new portfolio came on top of his title as senior adviser and role of chief policy aide to Bush.
But now, the job of deputy chief of staff for policy is being given to Joel Kaplan, now the White House's deputy budget director, said the official.
The move signals a possibly broad effort to rearrange and reinvigorate Bush's staff by new chief of staff Joshua Bolten. Bolten moved into his position last week; Kaplan was his No. 2 person at the Office of Management and Budget.
At least for the time being, the promotion of Kaplan would leave Bush with three deputy chiefs of staff: Rove, Kaplan and Joe Hagin, who oversees administrative matters, intelligence and other national security issues.
Appearing with Bush on the South Lawn, McClellan, who has parried especially fiercely with reporters on Iraq and on intelligence issues, told Bush: "I have given it my all sir and I have given you my all sir, and I will continue to do so as we transition to a new press secretary."
Bush said McClellan had "a challenging assignment."
"I thought he handled his assignment with class, integrity," the president said. "It's going to be hard to replace Scott, but nevertheless he made the decision and I accepted it. One of these days, he and I are going to be rocking in chairs in Texas and talking about the good old days."
McClellan was named press secretary in June 2003, not long after the United States invaded Iraq and had first been a deputy to Ari Fleischer in the job — a White House position with daily visibility rivaling virtually everyone there except the president.
Ater the announcement, Bush and McClellan walked across the lawn together and boarded Marine One, but a problem with the helicopter's radio kept it grounded. The president and his staff were forced to take a motorcade to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., where Bush was scheduled to depart for Alabama.
Ruff! Ruff!
Just read the stick figure bit. Too damn funny.
Great move if the new guy is firm and quick witted.
My hat is off to you, Scott. Not many folks can tolerate the sanctimonious jerks that call themselves the White House Press Corps.
Mr Stick Figure would do a great job. LOL!
Looks as though all the comments to the White House from FR. took their toll.
It's about time, why can't the President see these things when they are around him everyday? This is the disconnect I keep referring to in some of my posting and some of others.
If these changes are crafted carefully may-be some of the disgruntled Republicans will return to their base.
The next needed change is at the congressional level of the GOP, there is where the real danger to our party lies.
The left has made it so degrading for a true patriot to come forward to run for public office, this replacement will not be easy, if even possible.
Scott seemed like too nice a person for the job, someone with a Pitbull pesonality is needed to keep some of the egos under control.
That's the problem, he tolerated them when he should have been berating them and pulling press passes.
Well, you did your part adding to it.
You could try reading the thread that is in breaking news.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1617601/posts
wow, you're original.
Right on, and she would probably silence Hellin Thomas, she would be too buzy wiping droon from her mouth.
That has to be the hardest job in the world - being attacked by vicious left wing press vipers.
Very nice. However you are making good sense which does not get you far in DC.
Wouldn't work. Ann Coulter is anti-illegal invasion. Tony would work better, he agrees with Bush/Vicente on the sell out of America.
10. All questions are to based on fact, not supposition, ie: "With the economy in such turmoil, what does the President plan to do about it"
You will be asked to submit a credible source for your question and we will gladly respond to it at another press conference.
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