The Feld-Blog

No Press Secretary has ever survived the entirety of a two-term Presidency. Just by virtue of the delicate balance that the job demands - be honest enough to win the trust of the press and closed-off enough to maintain the confidence of the administration - the Press Secretary's reputation is sometimes seen as 'disposable' and often evaporates quickly under pressure. Whether because current Press Secretary Scott McClellan is starting to suffer from this disease passed down from predeccesor to successor, or merely because he has started to stumble over relatively simple mistakes, the media has started to whisper rumors that McClellan might follow Andrew Card out the White House door (Andrew Card resigned early last week).

As new chief of Staff Josh Bolton begins to bail Bush out of a sinking Presidency, it is likely he will begin with Communications and Press Relations. Although this has been one of the most tight-lipped administrations in our nations history, evidence of fatigue has begun to show though McClellans now threadbare facade of calm. From fumbleing the leak scanal, to failing to contain the stream of informations concerning Cheney's recent hunting accident, to contradicting statements between White House Communications and President Bush on the Dubai port scandal, McClellan's credibility is on the brink of extinction. Bush may soon ask Dan Bartlett, current Communications Director and staunch party-line spokesman, to take over McClellan's position, as widely rumored by the media.

On the other hand, Bush seems to trust McClellan a great deal, and such personal relationships seem to be of utmost importance to Bush (regardless of the political dammage they seem to inflict on him). In this time of crisis for the Bush Presidency, Bush himself may be loathe to release trusted allies. Furthermore, the most opulent failures transgressed by high level officials seem to have garnered only praise from Bush. Rice's failures as National Security advisor secured her seat in the Presidents second-term cabinet; Tenet's failures as CIA director earned him the medal of Freedom. Bush certainly rolls out the red carpet as he kicks people out the door; perhaps McClellans fate, then, is not as sealed as we think.

Regardless, Bolton has some tough decisions ahead. There is no question that White House Communications has stumbled through the last few months. In order to keep the White House afloat, Bolton will have to institude some sweepign changes, whether or not they become public. Perhaps, now, we will see once and for all whether failure to perform on Bush's staff earns you a pink slip or a medal.