McClellan Leaves White House Press Office

By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer
1 minute ago

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.
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I thought I fucking hated Ari Fleischer until this prick came along. Doesn't really matter, they'll find someone equally adept at lying and dodging questions. I just won't have to look at his smug fucking face anymore. Fucking douchebag.

Cock breath?

You know, like Hen Halitosis?

Exactly.

how was he head of the college republicans when he wasn't going to college? he avoided Nam by going to college for just a year then got a job in the basement of the Nixon White House.
And Clinton was a draft dodger?

...Yes

Sounds about like the status quo for the Bush administration.

Meh, every press secretary is going to inherit some sort of crookedness from politicians. I'm sure McClellan's replacement won't be any better.

Is that better or worse than gin and tonic breath?

"Lying piece of shit cock breath" is a synonym for "politician"

Depends. Do you mind having cock in your mouth?

As bick a dick as he seemed to be, I wouldn't want that job. No way.

New joke, please.

Yeah, like the same Bush jokes don't get old . . .

i dont get the whole, hes a bad guy cause hes a draft dodger

how many people here actively sought out military service? you bet your sweet ass and then some that if i was drafted i would do my best to avoid it

McClellan was a draft dodger?

As I said the last time you posted this pic, things must be getting pretty bad for Republicans when Chris H_2 resorts to Clinton-bashing in one form or another.

We'll see if I still make Bush jokes 6 years into a Democratic presidency.

hahahahaha


oh wait, youre being serious?

No, THAT was a joke. I don't really care if someone tries to find a way out of being drafted. But when you get out of service b/c you have cash, and someone goes to fight in your place, that's when I have beef.