A Change in Name Only

WASHINGTON, March 28, 2006 — -- People looking for a big White House shake-up to change President Bush's political fortunes are probably going to have to keep waiting. The changing of the guard in the chief of staff's office is unlikely to fulfill those hopes.

By letting Andy Card resign and replacing him with budget director Josh Bolten, Bush is replacing a quiet, nice, loyal, hard-working Washington insider with quiet, nice, loyal, hard-working Washington insider. Card worked on Bush's campaign and has worked in the adminstration since it began; Bolten worked on Bush's campaign and has labored in the adminstration since it began.

While there are differences between the men to be sure, the change is likely to have as much impact on the Bush administration as the change from Dick York to Dick Sargent playing Darrin had on "Bewitched."

Sure, Bolten is younger and by most accounts less burnt out than Card, who worked pre-dawn to post-dusk for more than five years in one of the most intense jobs on the planet. And Bolten is more policy oriented than Card, who focused a great deal on the gigantic task of managing the White House.

But friends and foes of Bush who had called for change are not likely to see much impact from this one personnel move. Policy will continue to be set by the president, and no Republican sources close to the White House are suggesting that Bolten's tenure will see any major shifts in the Bush agenda.

In terms of style, Bolten is also a lot like Card. He is an inside player who keeps a low profile. Nobody thinks he is going to become the face of the administration, and somehow change the strained public image the White House is struggling to reverse.

Another of Bush's recent problems -- relations with the congressional wing of his own party -- is unlikely to be fixed by this change. It is true that Bolten has some very good relationships on Capitol Hill, but so does Card.