ARI FLEISCHER TO RESIGN
WaPo reports that Bush Spokesman Ari Fleischer will resign this summer to avoid burnout from his job and to make a few bucks on the speaking circuit. This was certainly a surprise. He has been as good a press spokesman as I can recall, managing to avoid grabbing the limelight and yet to handle the press deftly and with an excellent sense of humor. The Bush team has managed to go on without a hitch even with the departure of Karen Hughes, so I suspect Fleischer can be replaced as well. But he will definitely be missed.
The Bush team picked up Ari when the Dole campaign flamed out before the first primary. Bascially their own spokesman were sicked, and they need a good sub. After the job he did on the campaign, they begged him to stay on the job.
After 9/11 and 2 wars, I think it’s a good time to quit while you’re still ahead.
I know the real reason he left.
Waking up every morning knowing you have to deal with Helen Thomas is enough to make anyone resign.
—