Rove's Role Cut and McClellan Out in Shake-Up
WASHINGTON — Moving to reinvigorate his presidency and recover from low public approval ratings, President Bush on Wednesday reduced the official role that Karl Rove, his chief political strategist, will play in setting policy, and accepted the resignation of spokesman Scott McClellan.
The moves were part of an effort by Bush's new chief of staff, Joshua B. Bolten, to energize an administration that has faced bad news from Iraq and seen a number of second-term initiatives stall. The difficulties have left Republicans nervous about losing control of Congress.
Rove no longer will have direct responsibility for White House policy-making, a role he gained after guiding Bush to victory in 2004. But his extraordinary influence in the White House, and in Washington, will continue. Rove will remain in charge of political strategy, which will be increasingly important as the fall congressional campaigns approach.
The policy portfolio will be turned over to Joel D. Kaplan, who had been the White House's deputy budget director. Kaplan worked closely with Bolten in the 2000 campaign, and they have a relationship that some compare to the "mind meld" that unites Bush and Rove.
A former White House official who had talked recently with Bolten said Wednesday's moves resulted from Bolten's view that he needed to address three serious problems facing Bush: deteriorating news coverage, souring relations with Congress, and increasing tension between the White House and GOP candidates. The former official asked not to be identified because of concern the White House might not appreciate his comments during a difficult time.
The troubles are circling less than seven months before the midterm elections, in which Democrats hope to make gains by turning local contests into a nationwide referendum on the performance of the president and his party.
Congressional Republicans have been pressing the White House for staff changes, and several welcomed Wednesday's announcement -- while anticipating more shifts soon. Those could include naming a new Treasury secretary to replace John W. Snow, who has drawn fire as deficits mount.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) was consulted about the staff changes before they were announced. Frist's chief of staff, Eric Ueland, called the shifts "an unfortunate but sometimes necessary Washington ritual
