Meet the 'Real Bush'

"But other GOP strategists said they believe McClellan's position is secure because of his close relationship with President Bush going back to Texas. McClellan was a communications aide to the president when he was governor of the Lone Star state."

Peter Baker and Jim VandeHei wrote in Saturday's Washington Post: "The White House is planning additional staff changes that could come as early as next week as part of a broader effort to repair relations with Congress and revive the Bush presidency, according to several Republicans familiar with the emerging strategy.

"Joshua B. Bolten, who takes over April 15 as White House chief of staff, is developing a proposal to overhaul West Wing operations with the twin aims of bringing more voices into the policymaking process and avoiding staff breakdowns such as the slow response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster. . . .

"Bolten is focused on 'making sure there's clear lines of authority and responsibility on issues' and 'making sure the president is provided with stimulating debate on the big issues,' said a senior White House official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to avoid upstaging Bolten. 'He has a very open mind about looking outside the family.'

"That by itself could indicate a significant shift for a White House known for a tight -- critics say insular -- circle that often does not seem open to outsiders or their advice."

Among the possible departures Baker and VandeHei mention: White House Deputy Chief of Staff Joe Hagin and communications director Nicolle Wallace.

Mike Allen writes in Time: "Bush, who retired to his Texas ranch for the weekend after a summit in Cancún, did not want it to appear that inside-the-Beltway carping had sparked a staff shuffle. Now it can be attributed to Bolten, who will add some meat to an election-year agenda that has disappointed even some of the President's most fervent supporters. Speaking of Bush's team, a Bolten friend said, 'Josh thinks they need to communicate better, and need something better to communicate.' "

The Media's Role

Media critic Howard Kurtz , on his CNN show on Sunday, pursued his theory that the press is actively pushing for these changes.

"KURTZ: Ed Henry, this drumbeat of questions about a staff shakeup, who put the press in charge of White House personnel policy?

"ED HENRY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I don't think anyone did. I think it was really the press more really reacting to the fact that there are a lot of conservatives in the president's own party who are saying, 'Look, there need to be some changes.' They're very frustrated with the president's low poll ratings. I think it's more maybe some people shooting the messenger in the media, because the media was delivering that message to the White House, but the fact is people in the president's own party wanted this change and want more changes."

Well, surely Wall Street Journal opinion columnist John Fund would go along.

"KURTZ: John Fund, when Andy Card was -- stepped down as chief of staff, replaced by Josh Bolten, some of the newspaper coverage, 'New York Times' called it a step unlikely to satisfy calls with the Republican Party for greater -- for fresh thinking. 'Philadelphia Inquirer' said Bush is no Reagan when it comes to shakeups. 'Boston Globe' fell far short of what many in Washington had anticipated. Sounds like the press still wasn't satisfied.