Bush's West Wing Texans are on the wane

[maddezmom]

Bush's West Wing Texans are on the wane
With Dan Bartlett's exit, Rove is the last Lone Star confidant there.
By James Gerstenzang, Times Staff Writer
June 2, 2007


WASHINGTON — As George W. Bush underwent a seven-year metamorphosis from gubernatorial candidate to president, and then through the six years, four months and 12 days of his White House tenure so far, Dan Bartlett was always at his side.

On Friday, Bartlett announced that he was heading out the door.

His departure leaves only political advisor Karl Rove among the Texans who arrived in Washington with Bush and worked closely with him in the White House West Wing. Bartlett's decision to leave underscores the growing challenge the president will face in the last 1 1/2 years of his administration.

Bartlett's title is counselor to the president. His role and responsibilities have ranged across White House operations. He's had a hand in developing policy, analyzing the political implications of various decisions, and directing how such decisions would be conveyed to the public.

more:http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-bartlett2jun02,1,3950936.story?track=rss

[Pace]

1. Nothing like opportunity eh?

Bartlett grew up in Bush's benevolent shadow(sic). And now, that the collateral, political or otherwise, isn't worth it, he's bailing out, or rather is being pushed out.

I mean Barlett has doubtless, infinite loyalty to George W, but he can't be expected to combat impeachment proceedings; too young, too inexperienced, and certainly too foreign to the pyramid that Washington is.

I would expect Fred Fielding will replace Barlett, he's more equipped to run interference once impeachment investigations start, and they will. Now whether or not Bush is actually impeached, is another story, but he'll need the help of more seasoned individuals. In fact, I don't think the Texans are leaving, I think they have exhausted their useful life, and being a Bush, George knows he's responsible to keep a family legacy, albeit a short legacy, intact. I mean, imagine the shame that an impeachment investigation brings to a family that started out running a Metal company in Ohio, and ended up with two presidents and one Congressman. Pretty awful to think of, isn't it?

Yes, Bush is going to need heavy hitters post this fall's disasterous results in Iraq; that government is on it's way to collaspe, the oxygen has been starved out of the democratic experience in Iraq, just as the oxygen was starved out of Wolfowitz's and Rumsfeld's "more mobile military" petri dish failure, and if you read now, the generals are calling for more troops beyond September in Iraq.

Now how is all of that going to play at home? the ire that will result should culminate into impeachment proceedings; and Bartlett, who is a nice young man, simply does not have the mileu, the wiles, nor the connects in Washington to contain that kind of chaos.

Fielding does, or rather, Fielding has the ability if he chooses to negotiate with both sides, the question is, will Fred Fielding, who has nothing to lose here, actually arise to the challenge?

[pat_k]

3. And we'll see ol' Teddy Olsen replace Gonzales in a tick. . .

. . .as soon as the impeachment drums start rolling in the House.

[Demeter]

2. The Rats Are Taking Shore Leave

and they aren't even anywhere NEAR land!

[grasswire]

4. Bartlett looks ten years older than his stated age.

Seriously. He looks like a man in his forties.