Outside the Beltway

Bartlett Resigns

Steven L. Taylor · Friday, June 1, 2007 · 1 comment

Cross-posted from PoliBlog:

Via the BBC: Trusted Bush adviser stands down

Dan Bartlett, counsellor to President George W Bush and one of his longest-serving aides, has resigned.

Mr Bartlett, who has been with Mr Bush for the past 13 years, said he was leaving to work in the private sector and spend more time with his family.

You know, even if it is true, couldn’t these guys (politicians, coaches, whomever) come up with a better explanation than the ol’ “time with family” bit? One guesses he isn’t going to become Mr. Mom.

Matthew Yglesias probably gets the real motivation correct:

to try to cash in with a private sector job (“Bartlett said he was open to job opportunities and had retained Washington attorney Bob Barnett to help him in the search”) before connections to the Bush administration become worthless

Let’s face facts: not only does Bush have the popularity problem, but he is about to enter true Lame Duck status.

Here’s some info on Bartlett’s history and role with Bush (Senior Bush Aide Dan Bartlett to Resign):

Since joining Bush as a young college graduate, Bartlett steadily assumedresponsibility as Bush’s political career prospered. A protege of Bush’s longtime close adviser Karen Hughes, Bartlett handled damage control during the first Bush campaign, particularly around questions regarding the president’s National Guard service.

Bartlett filled a similar role in the White House, where he advised the president on strategic communication and dealt with reporters on the thorniest issues confronting the president, from immigration to Iraq. By the president’s second term, Bartlett emerged as one of the president’s closest advisers and insiders credit him with advocating for the administration to talk more openly about the obvious challenges the administration faced in Iraq.

Video and links to statements can be found at
Think Progress » Dan Bartlett resigns.