Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton to Leave White House
EmailWhite House deputy press secretary Bill Burton announced today that he’s leaving the White House. Friday will be his last day.
Almost three weeks ago Burton was passed over for the White House press secretary position for Jay Carney, the former communications director for Vice President Biden. Burton's announcement came just a couple hours after Carney's first briefing.
Burton in an email to friends and colleagues announced that he would be forming a Democratic consulting firm with Sean Sweeney, the former chief of staff to former chief of staff Rahm Emanuel. The two worked together at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2006, when Emanuel was the chair, Sweeney was the political director, and Burton was communications director.
The son of Buffalo said the firm will focus on political and strategic consulting,” Burton wrote. “We will have a more specific announcement in coming weeks once we figure out things like name, location and where one buys those comfy ergonomic office chairs.”
Prior to today, Burton, a loyal lieutenant to former White House press secretary Robert Gibbs, was the only member of the press office to have briefed reporters in Gibbs’ absence. President Obama not asking him to serve as Gibbs’ replacement was something of a surprise to many reporters.
In his email, Burton recalled that it was four years ago this week that he “stood with many of you in Springfield as then-Senator Barack Obama announced an improbable campaign for President on an unbelievably cold day. And then I stood with a lot more of you on an unseasonably warm night in Chicago as the next First Family strode onto stage in Grant Park. There was another cold day in Washington — when all the rest of you hangers-on showed up — and that Senator became President. And all those days since, we worked together to make the change he promised a reality in the lives of countless Americans.”
Burton and wife Laura Capps have a son due in May.
News of his departure was first reported by Politico's Jeanne Cummings.
- Jake Tapper
Biden Reflects on Grief, Suicidal Thoughts 
Is Congress Sounding Dumber?
How many is this now Jake? How many staffers have walked? Does ANYONE find this unusual? Nah.
Posted by: mjishernameo | February 16, 2011, 4:20 pm 4:20 pm
I am disappointed that the Assistand Press Secretary” is leaving…..now we will never know if he learned the “errrs” and “ummmms” when making a simple declarative sentence with the non=convincing spark that Gibbs used in giving the assembled Press Corps a neutered response to what was on the President’s mind for the subject raised.
Posted by: justj joey | February 16, 2011, 5:04 pm 5:04 pm
Is there nobody left to lie to news correspondents when they ask questions?
Posted by: Jose | February 16, 2011, 5:43 pm 5:43 pm
Bill Burton needs a challenge. I am not so surprised he is leaving. Wish him well!
Posted by: kottaras | February 16, 2011, 6:38 pm 6:38 pm
I think Mrs. Clinton might also be looking for an appropriate time to announce that she’s leaving also.
Posted by: young_voter | February 16, 2011, 7:02 pm 7:02 pm
I wonder if this is a personal decision or a forced decision? No way to know for sure.
Posted by: James | February 16, 2011, 8:39 pm 8:39 pm
This is a partisan person bought and paid for by Thinkprogress.com, he has no ideas that aren’t “talking points”. No one should fall for this insulting deception!!!
Posted by: proffem | August 21, 2011, 11:51 pm 11:51 pm