Bush digs in on changing staff
President Bush is digging in his heels about making big staff changes at the White House, even as Republican strategists fret that he doesn't realize the depth of his problems on Capitol Hill.
Advisers say that the more the media speculate on the need for a reshuffling and the more GOP "friends" make the case for new blood, the less likely change will be. Bush is very loyal to his inner circle and doesn't want any of his senior aides to be embarrassed by appearing to be fired or demoted. He also doesn't want to be pressured into anything.
Just as important, Bush doesn't think a shakeup is needed. He is convinced that members of the Washington establishment are simply upset because his staff doesn't play ball with them or give them special access. Inside the West Wing, advisers say some senior aides would have liked to resign quietly more than a year ago – and that includes Chief of Staff Andrew Card and White House counselor Dan Bartlett. But Bush wouldn't let them go. He has a comfort level with his first-term aides and doesn't want to replace them with strangers or "outsiders."
On the Hill, the intraparty rift remains.
"I am most worried that the Republicans in Congress feel it's in their interest to differentiate themselves from Bush," a prominent Republican tells U.S. News. "The more that happens, the more it will hold Bush's job-approval numbers down because he won't be able to get things done, and that in turn will hold down the Republican Congress's numbers."
The result that GOP insiders fear most is that Republican turnout will be down in the midterm elections this fall, and that could result in the Democrats' taking the House or Senate.
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