Friday, April 21, 2006
Briliante! The Dems Will Hate Bolten
Bush Counsel May Be Next in Shake-Up - New York Times: " Joshua B. Bolten, the new White House chief of staff, has raised the possibility of moving Harriet E. Miers from her job as President Bush's counsel as part of a continuing shake-up of the West Wing, an influential Republican with close ties to Mr. Bolten said Thursday.
The Republican, who was granted anonymity to talk openly about sensitive internal White House deliberations, said that Mr. Bolten had floated the idea among confidants, but that it was unclear whether he would follow through or if the move would be acceptable to Mr. Bush, who has a longtime personal bond with Ms. Miers.
'It's a reflection of Josh's thinking,' the Republican said. 'It's not a prediction that he's going to get it done.'
A senior White House official denied that Mr. Bolten was considering such a step. 'It's not the case,' said the official, who was granted anonymity to get around the administration's policy of not commenting on personnel matters.
On another front, Republicans said that Tony Snow, a commentator for Fox News and a former speechwriter for Mr. Bush's father, was in negotiations for the job of White House press secretary. Mr. Snow would replace Scott McClellan, who announced Wednesday that he was resigning."
First, Bush cannot get far enough away from Harriet publicly. The downside to removing her from the White House would be the press conference to do so. At least if she stays, he doesn't have to have any photos with her. There would be no reminders of his dopey SCOTUS tap. As for Tony Snow, it could not be a smarter move. First, he is bright. Second, he is well-liked, even among his competitors. Third, he is recovering from cancer, which will not matter when things get ugly, but does tend to lighten ire a bit. Also, he is a current member of the press. Many of the liberal press do not have any use for Fox News, but he is an anchor and a successful radio personality. Whether they like it or not, he really is one of them. Putting one of their own at the front of the room is incredibly smart. Putting a guy like Tony there is what should've happened after Ari left. There was never a good excuse for McClellan. With access to the whole country, he picked Scott to speak publicly for him. An outsider would wonder if there was no better candidates available. This shows much better taste. Sounds like Bolten's entrance is long overdue.
The Republican, who was granted anonymity to talk openly about sensitive internal White House deliberations, said that Mr. Bolten had floated the idea among confidants, but that it was unclear whether he would follow through or if the move would be acceptable to Mr. Bush, who has a longtime personal bond with Ms. Miers.
'It's a reflection of Josh's thinking,' the Republican said. 'It's not a prediction that he's going to get it done.'
A senior White House official denied that Mr. Bolten was considering such a step. 'It's not the case,' said the official, who was granted anonymity to get around the administration's policy of not commenting on personnel matters.
On another front, Republicans said that Tony Snow, a commentator for Fox News and a former speechwriter for Mr. Bush's father, was in negotiations for the job of White House press secretary. Mr. Snow would replace Scott McClellan, who announced Wednesday that he was resigning."
First, Bush cannot get far enough away from Harriet publicly. The downside to removing her from the White House would be the press conference to do so. At least if she stays, he doesn't have to have any photos with her. There would be no reminders of his dopey SCOTUS tap. As for Tony Snow, it could not be a smarter move. First, he is bright. Second, he is well-liked, even among his competitors. Third, he is recovering from cancer, which will not matter when things get ugly, but does tend to lighten ire a bit. Also, he is a current member of the press. Many of the liberal press do not have any use for Fox News, but he is an anchor and a successful radio personality. Whether they like it or not, he really is one of them. Putting one of their own at the front of the room is incredibly smart. Putting a guy like Tony there is what should've happened after Ari left. There was never a good excuse for McClellan. With access to the whole country, he picked Scott to speak publicly for him. An outsider would wonder if there was no better candidates available. This shows much better taste. Sounds like Bolten's entrance is long overdue.
