L.A. Times Yanks Columnist's Blog

Lots of online chatter about the White House staff shakeup. Weekly Standard Editor Fred Barnes says don't count Rove out:

"The mainstream media may have trouble resisting the temptation to declare that Karl Rove has been demoted, but the truth is quite the contrary. By giving up his role as deputy White House chief of staff, Rove has been freed to do what he does best: shape big issues and develop strategies to win elections.

"In the mini-shuffle announced yesterday, Rove was a winner. No longer will he have to honcho a tedious policy process at the White House, which he's been doing in President Bush's second term. He now will resume the freewheeling role and significant, but limited, responsibilities he held during the first term. At the moment, he has two broad responsibilities: handling macro issues like taxes and immigration and planning for the election on November 7.

"When Rove's job change was announced, it spread fear among the immigrant groups that are lobbying for immigration reform. Initial press reports indicated he'd be giving up any policy role. Not so. Rove still has the assignment of working on a compromise on immigration legislation acceptable to Bush and to a majority of congressional Republicans.

"And by the way, Rove will have an even friendlier ally as White House chief of staff. The outgoing chief, Andy Card, was occasionally quoted as suggesting that Rove had amassed too much power at the White House. The new chief, Josh Bolten, appears not to feel that way and happens to be a close friend of Rove. . . .

"Bush hates to fire anyone, but he was forced to accept the fact that McClellan was ill equipped for the touchy press secretary's job."

If that's the case, it took him nearly three years.

Josh Marshall is in scoffing mode:

"I can't get past this point of, where are the new faces ?

"It's like they cannot take on anyone who hasn't a) already taken the Bush omerta or b) already works for Fox News."

Peggy Noonan ruminates about Bush's management style:

"George W. Bush, on the other hand, does not tolerate dissent, argument, bitter internal battles. He is the decider. He decides, and the White House carries through. He is loyal to his aides, who carry out his wishes. . . . His loyalty means they will most likely not be fired or leaked against, no matter what heat they take from the outside. And so his aides move forward with the sharpness and edge of those who know their livelihoods and status are secure. Bruce Bartlett has written of how, as a conservative economist, he was treated with courtesy by the Clinton White House, which occasionally sought out his views. But once he'd offered mild criticisms of the Bush White House he was shut out, and rudely, by Bush staffers. Why would they be like that? Because they believe that as a conservative, Mr. Bartlett owes his loyalty to the president. He thought his loyalty was to principles.