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March 28, 2006
A Non-Change Change
Early this morning came word that President Bush had submitted to a growing chorus within the Republican Party that was pressing for a staff change in the West Wing -- sort of.
Andy Card, Mr. Bush's Chief of Staff since the 2000 Florida recount, stepped down from his position after nearly six years on the job -- a very lengthy tour by Washington standards. He will be replaced by Joshua Bolten, the director of the Office of Management and Budget and former White House Deputy Chief of Staff.
Bolten is very much a core Team Bush player, so while he is technically a new face, he is already a member of the administration's inner circle and hardly brings the fresh perspective so many have clamored for in recent weeks.
For those who have followed George W. Bush's political career, today's "non-change change" at the White House is not surprising. Mr. Bush trusts few people and does not like bad news. He has continually surrounded himself with the same small group of confidantes since his days in Austin -- folks who tell him what he wants to hear.
The trouble is, what he wants to hear these days bears little resemblance to reality. The war in Iraq continues to be problematic, to say the least, the economy is shaky for most people, and the public's faith in the administration has eroded hugely in recent months. These circumstances cry out for a truth teller -- someone who will give the President the bad news he needs to hear, so the White House political ship can be righted.
Men like Howard Baker, James Baker and David Gergen have filled this role for previous presidents. But the boss must be willing to listen. Sadly, the same political tone-deafness the administration has shown on issues from Iraq, to Social Security reform, to Hurricane Katrina seems to guide it now, and it likely comes straight from the top.
Well, at least these folks are consistent.
Posted by houtopia at March 28, 2006 04:39 PM