The mouthpiece for the Bush administration has handed in his resignation.
"He had a conversation about it with the president late last week, and he told senior staff first thing this morning," said one senior administration official, who requested anonymity.
"Yes he's leaving, I think in July," said another official, who likewise asked not to be named.
Fleischer joined the former Texas governor's virtually hermetic press operation during the 2000 White House race after serving as spokesperson for also-ran Republican Elizabeth Dole.
I can't figure out why. Maybe it's an election year thing.
According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, he's going to "enter the private sector."
Fleischer clashed at times with the White House press corps and had an uneasy relationship with some senior Bush aides, but he said the departure was his idea. He notified Bush of his decision Friday. The president ended the conversation "by kissing me on the head," the spokesman said.
Fleischer, 42, got married six months ago. He said that after 21 years in government he wanted to go on the speaking circuit and maybe do some writing. With Bush beginning his re-election campaign, Fleischer said this is the time to leave the White House "or sign on for the full four years."
"I've just been thinking about what I want to do, when I want to do it," he said. "I believe deeply in this president, his policies and the man. But there comes a time in public service when you have to decide when it's time to go." |
