RMAC
04-19-2006, 01:41 PM
McClellan Steps Down From Podium, Rove Back in Elections Game
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
WASHINGTON — More changes were afoot in the White House on Wednesday, as Press Secretary Scott McClellan announced he was stepping down and Karl Rove was reassigned within the administration.
"I'm ready to move on," McClellan said while standing next to Bush on the South Lawn of the White House Wednesday.
McClellan, who has been in the often-tough job of Bush's mouthpiece and defender during an especially trying time in the presidency, indicated that his decision was part of an ongoing personnel shakeup in the administration.
"The White House is going through a period of transition; change can be helpful, and this is a good time and good position to help bring about change," McClellan said.
Bush said McClellan had served in a "job well done," and the two touched on their long relationship predating the presidency.
"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, who has served in the job since June 2003, plans to leave in two or three weeks. McClellan replaced former press secretary Ari Fleischer.
One person who is being considered as replacement for McClellan is FOX News’ Radio host Tony Snow. Snow, who hosts "The Tony Snow Show," once served as a speechwriter for President George H.W. Bush.
Other people have also been approached about the position, including former Pentagon spokeswoman Victoria Clark and Dan Senor, the former Coalition Provisional Authority spokesman in Iraq, who served the U.S. civil administrator in Iraq, Paul Bremer.
Bush and McClellan boarded Marine One for a trip to Alabama after making the announcement. Bush and his staff later traveled by motorcade to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., where they took Air Force One after a problem with Marine One's helicopter radio.
McClellan visited with reporters in the press cabin of Air Force One and shook reporters' hands. McClellan responded to a comment that it was a sad moment, saying "It is sad on some level."
McClellan's departure follows other high-profile resignations, including former Chief of Staff Andy Card, who was replaced on Monday by Joshua Bolten.
Rove Returns to Familiar Role
A senior administration official 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, the official said. 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.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has responded to calls by six ex-generals this month for his resignation by saying he hasn't considering stepping aside. Bush publicly voiced his steadfast support for the Pentagon chief.
Bush also on Tuesday nominated U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman to head the Office of Management and Budget. One of Portman's deputies, Susan C. Schwab, will take over his current seat. And Jim Towey, head of the White House office of faith-based and community initiatives, resigned to become president of St. Vincent College in Pennsylvania.
FOX News' Carl Cameron, Wendell Goler and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
WASHINGTON — More changes were afoot in the White House on Wednesday, as Press Secretary Scott McClellan announced he was stepping down and Karl Rove was reassigned within the administration.
"I'm ready to move on," McClellan said while standing next to Bush on the South Lawn of the White House Wednesday.
McClellan, who has been in the often-tough job of Bush's mouthpiece and defender during an especially trying time in the presidency, indicated that his decision was part of an ongoing personnel shakeup in the administration.
"The White House is going through a period of transition; change can be helpful, and this is a good time and good position to help bring about change," McClellan said.
Bush said McClellan had served in a "job well done," and the two touched on their long relationship predating the presidency.
"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, who has served in the job since June 2003, plans to leave in two or three weeks. McClellan replaced former press secretary Ari Fleischer.
One person who is being considered as replacement for McClellan is FOX News’ Radio host Tony Snow. Snow, who hosts "The Tony Snow Show," once served as a speechwriter for President George H.W. Bush.
Other people have also been approached about the position, including former Pentagon spokeswoman Victoria Clark and Dan Senor, the former Coalition Provisional Authority spokesman in Iraq, who served the U.S. civil administrator in Iraq, Paul Bremer.
Bush and McClellan boarded Marine One for a trip to Alabama after making the announcement. Bush and his staff later traveled by motorcade to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., where they took Air Force One after a problem with Marine One's helicopter radio.
McClellan visited with reporters in the press cabin of Air Force One and shook reporters' hands. McClellan responded to a comment that it was a sad moment, saying "It is sad on some level."
McClellan's departure follows other high-profile resignations, including former Chief of Staff Andy Card, who was replaced on Monday by Joshua Bolten.
Rove Returns to Familiar Role
A senior administration official 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, the official said. 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.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has responded to calls by six ex-generals this month for his resignation by saying he hasn't considering stepping aside. Bush publicly voiced his steadfast support for the Pentagon chief.
Bush also on Tuesday nominated U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman to head the Office of Management and Budget. One of Portman's deputies, Susan C. Schwab, will take over his current seat. And Jim Towey, head of the White House office of faith-based and community initiatives, resigned to become president of St. Vincent College in Pennsylvania.
FOX News' Carl Cameron, Wendell Goler and The Associated Press contributed to this report.