White House Deck Gets Reshuffled

Chief Of Staff Andy Card Steps Down; Will Be Replaced By Josh Bolten

(CBS/AP) 
Democrats said Card's departure wasn't enough. "Simply rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic by replacing Andy Card with Josh Bolten without a dramatic change in policy will not right this ship," said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.

Said Democratic National Committee communications director Karen Finney: "As the saying goes, you can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig. Unfortunately for the American people, all President Bush did today was make it clear that they should expect nothing more than the same failed policies they have come to know all too well."

Once believed to harbor ambitions of surpassing Sherman Adams' nearly six-year record as the longest serving chief of staff — under Dwight Eisenhower — Card told Bush on March 8 he thought he should leave, McClellan said. Bush decided over the weekend at Camp David to accept the resignation and replace Card with Bolten, the spokesman said.

"Ecclesiastes reminds us that there are different seasons, and there is a new season," said Card, whose wife is a Methodist minister.

To the public, Card may be best known as the aide who calmly walked into a Florida classroom and whispered to Mr. Bush that America was under attack on Sept. 11, 2001. A veteran of every Republican administration back to Ronald Reagan's, Card is respected in Washington as fair, smart and hardworking — the first to arrive at the White House around 5:30 a.m. and often the last to leave at night.

Card, 58, stood stoically with his hands by his sides as Mr. Bush lauded his years of service. Then, gripping the podium, Card said in his farewell: "You're a good man, Mr. President."

Card's eyes were watery. He said he looked forward to just being Bush's friend. Bush then gave him five quick slaps on the back, and the two walked out of the Oval Office together.

"Andy Card, a longtime friend of mine, is tired. That he stayed in this job this long shows how much he cares about this country," Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, told reporters later.

As chief of staff, Bolten will regulate the paper flow to Mr. Bush's desk, oversee his schedule and determine who gets in to see the president — although some longtime aides have unquestioned access.

Bolten was budget chief when the government ran its three largest deficits ever, including the record $413 billion shortfall in 2004 — though most of that was because of the economy and years of decision-making by presidents and lawmakers.

"Josh Bolten has a record of failure," said Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. "Look at what he's done with our national debt."

But Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., said Bush had made a wise decision in picking Bolten. "His reputation among Democrats and Republicans alike is being a tough-minded, skilled conservative but also has an ability to work with Congress, work with Democrats as well as Republicans."

Rejecting charges of staff inertia, McClellan said half of Bush's senior aides have been replaced since the president's re-election in 2004. But some in Mr. Bush's inner circle — such as Texans Rove, Bartlett, Harriet Miers and McClellan himself — remain at the White House after 5½ years.