Normal turnover or purge-related panic? Hmm.
Several impending departures from the White House could further complicate life for the hard-pressed Bush administration.
Peter Wehner, the head of strategic initiatives, and political director Sara Taylor are expected to be heading for the White House exits soon, according to a person familiar with the situation. Barry Jackson, a longtime aide to Karl Rove, also is thought to be leaving soon. A White House spokesman confirmed Wehner’s imminent departure, but declined to comment on the others.
Despite the maelstrom of controversy and complication at the White House these days, all the departures appear to be more-or-less routine turnover. Several of the aides have been with the administration virtually from the outset.
This is part of a “more-or-less” routine staffing change? One need not be a cynic to lean towards “less.”
Indeed, as Paul Kiel noted today, Taylor’s name was referenced several times yesterday during Kyle Sampson’s testimony, and she was apparently involved in installing Rove acolyte Tim Griffin as a U.S. Attorney in Arkansas.
Just as the scandal hits crisis mode, the White House political director and a top Rove are resigning? Interesting timing, don’t you think?