White House: McClellan quits

2006-04-19 16:25

Washington - White House press secretary Scott McClellan announced his resignation on Wednesday.

His resignation continues a shake-up in United States President George W Bush's administration - he already has a new chief of staff - and could lead to a change in the country's cabinet.

Appearing with Bush on the White House south lawn just before the president was to leave on a trip, McClellan told Bush: "I have given it my all sir and I have given you my all sir, and I will continue to do so as we transition to a new press secretary."

Bush said: "I thought he handled his assignment with class, integrity.

"It's going to be hard to replace Scott, but nevertheless he made the decision and I accepted it. One of these days, he and I are going to be rocking in chairs in Texas and talking about the good old days."

McClellan was named press secretary in 2003, not long after the US invaded Iraq.

Official discloses another move

A senior administration official at the White House disclosed another move in the shake-up of Bush's staff on Wednesday.

The official said long time confidant and adviser to the US president, Karl Rove, is giving up his overseeing of development to focus more on politics, with the approach of the midterm elections in November.

Just over a year ago, Rove was promoted to deputy chief of staff in charge of most White House policy co-ordination.

The new portfolio came on top of his title as senior adviser and role of chief policy aide to Bush.

According to the official, the job of deputy chief of staff for policy has been given to Joel Kaplan, currently the White House's deputy budget director.

The move signals a possibly broad effort to rearrange and re-invigorate Bush's staff by the White House?s new chief of staff Joshua Bolten, appointed last week.

- AP