The Chairs Are Rearranged

As White House spokesman, Scott McClellan has one of the toughest jobs in D.C. Fending off the media hordes whose agenda isn't just getting news, but undermining an Administration - moreso during GOP Administations than during Democratic Administrations. It's a pressure filled job, and he's stepping down.

And Karl Rove fans (and haters) take note: he's shifting from policy to election duties. Expect him to have a major role in the November elections.

Appearing with Bush on the White House South Lawn just before the president boarded a helicopter at the start a trip to Alabama, McClellan, who has parried especially fiercefully with reporters on Iraq and on intelligence issues, told Bush: "I have given it my all sir and I have given you my all sir, and I will continue to do so as we transition to a new press secretary."

Just over a year ago, Rove was promoted to deputy chief of staff in charge of most White House policy coordination. That new portfolio came on top of his title as senior adviser and role of chief policy aide to Bush.

But now, the job of deputy chief of staff for policy is being given to Joel Kaplan, now the White House's deputy budget director, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the president had not yet made the announcement.

The move signals a possibly broad effort to rearrange and reinvigorate Bush's staff by new chief of staff Joshua Bolten. Bolten moved into his position last week; Kaplan was his No. 2 person at the Office of Management and Budget.

UPDATE:
Wuzzadem has the best suggestion for White House Spokesman. Well, it's a whole lot funnier than my suggestion, which was to can the position.

UPDATE:
Don Surber also thinks that the position of official spokesperson doesn't make sense. The Man thinks that Jack Bauer should be the next White House spokesperson (and yes, there is humor there too).

Upon further reflection, Jack Bristow would be an acceptable alternative if Jack Bauer isn't available and we know that he probably is (despite the fact that Jack Bauer can bend time and space). Bristow has theater training as a cover, knowledgable in all the martial arts, and has excellent diction and known for pithy statements and steely demeanor. Oh, and knows how to use a screwdriver for more than putting together a crib.

Others blogging the Administration changes: Ed Driscoll, and Stop the ACLU.