March 29, 2006
President Bush’s loyal chief of staff, Andy Card, is resigning. He’ll be replaced by the former deputy chief of staff and current budget director, Josh Bolton.
In Washington, people read the tea leaves for the real meaning of such things and there may be nothing more to it than fatigue or a desire for change. Card often arrives at the white house at 5:30 a.m. and stays until 9 or 10 at night. Sometimes he works six or seven days a week. It is a crazy and demanding schedule.
You may recall that Card was the one who whispered into President Bush’s ear in that famous photo “America is under attack.” The president called him a good man and he is.
Many people concerned about the president’s falling approval numbers wanted someone from the outside who would change the subject and perhaps inject new ideas and energy into the administration. But the president is entitled to have who he wants and trusts. We’ll see of Josh Bolton can help the approval numbers and re-energize the agenda and direction of the administration.
Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.
