Don't Blame Me

"He was full of wisecracks.

" 'I like a good lobbyist,' Bush told a questioner seeking U.S. help for the West Africa country of Mali.

"When a magazine reporter stood up with a question, Bush seemed surprised that the press was seated in the audience. 'This is what we call embedding,' he said.

"A member of Freedom House said he had given Bush a copy of the group's annual report, titled 'Freedom in the World.'

" 'You're going to ask me if I read the book,' Bush said. 'Little print, no pictures. Go ahead.'

" 'It's the bible of freedom, yes,' the Freedom House official said, prompting laughter and a lighthearted presidential objection.

" 'I'm the funny guy,' Bush said."

And noting that he was off to Cancun later in the day, Bush cracked: "No Speedo suit here. . . . Thankfully."

Staff Shakeup Watch

Elisabeth Bumiller writes in the New York Times: "Joshua B. Bolten, the incoming White House chief of staff, is expected to press President Bush to assemble new economic and Congressional relations teams and overhaul the management of the West Wing, Republicans close to the White House said Wednesday.

"A prominent Republican in Washington who consults often with the White House said Mr. Bolten, who is to assume his duties next month, wants Mr. Bush to replace the Treasury secretary, John W. Snow, with someone who can more forcefully communicate the administration's message that the economy is strong. . . .

"Republicans said Mr. Bush had not ruled out bringing in an experienced Washington hand to help calm Congressional Republicans who have complained with increasing boldness and exasperation that the White House staff is exhausted and adrift. While Mr. Bolten's appointment was generally well received by the party, many Republicans said on Wednesday that the staff changes did not go far enough.

"Mr. Bush was described as paying close heed to such advice."