Will Bush Clean (The White) House? (from TIME)

[Dulcinea]

White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan, asked Wednesday about growing speculation in Washington over "the fatigue factor" of Bush Administration senior staff, dismissed what he called "a parlor game" and drew chuckles by saying that he was "tired of some of the questions."

But current concern over the level of exhaustion and lack of new ideas in the West Wing isn't necessarily a laughing matter. Some well-known, and mostly anonymous, Republicans outside the White House are indeed agitating for new blood. One Republican official said that Bush needs "a heavyweight for outreach to the Hill" and is considering "some senior folks to get some rudders back," but added that "they won't go outside the family." And Sen. Norman Coleman (R-Minn.), usually considered close to the White House, went public this week with a view that has been whispered among Republican operatives, telling The Associated Press Tuesday that he has "some concerns about the team that's around the president," and that the staff should be reexamined.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1173672,00.html?cnn=yes

[Bob3]

1. He's not going to change a thing - everybody's kissing his ass

what the hell else does he need? People who will tell him things are going to hell in Iraq? He doesn't like to hear such stuff and since he's president he doesn't have to. so there.

Besides any changes in staff are up to Dick Cheney anyway.

Why is Time wasting our time with this gibberish. This is about the 15th story about the White House changing personnel or adding people. And nothing has ever come of one of them. The only people who will leave are the ones who are arrested.


edit - i can't spell

[Norquist Nemesis]

2. I think he will

and without fanfare. I suspect his close adviser, Grover Norquist, is combing the hills and gutters to 'ping' a rising star. So, unless the media's on top of it, any appointments will be along the lines of *yawn*.

[Neil Lisst]

3. Norm Coleman is a WH player, part of the set up

The WH tells Coleman some people will be leaving, so Coleman, at their suggestion "calls on" the WH to make some changes. Then, when it happens, Coleman gets some credit.

This is one of the many shell and pea games designed to make congressional pubs look like they're accomplishing something, while making it look like Dubya takes advice.

[bluedog]

4. Baker to help lead review of policy on Iraq

Baker to help lead review of policy on Iraq
By Guy Dinmore and Jenny Johnson in Washington
Published: March 15 2006 21:48 | Last updated: March 15 2006 23:36

James Baker, the US secretary of state during the first Gulf war, was named on Wednesday as the joint leader of a high-powered and independent taskforce to assess the situation in Iraq and find “long-term viable alternatives” to current policy.
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The idea for the 10-member group originated with Frank Wolf, a Republican congressman for Virginia, and reflects growing concern in both parties in Congress that the US may not be winning the war. Lee Hamilton, the Democratic former congressman who co-chaired the 9/11 Commission, joins Mr Baker.

Several senators lent their public support to the taskforce, which was immediately welcomed by the Bush administration. The White House said these respected figures “will provide an independent look at the way forward in Iraq”. It promised to provide assistance in travel to Iraq and access to officials and documents.

http://news.ft.com/cms/s/fb40d988-b46c-11da-bd61-0000779e2340.html