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Strap In, 'Rahmbo': Bush's Ex-Chief

Andy Card explains how to survive in the White House

By Michael Roston,  Newser User

Posted Nov 7, 2008 7:00 PM CST

(Newser) – Rahm Emanuel will have to delegate and be decisive, President Bush's first chief of staff tells Newsweek. But there's more: Serving as President Obama's go-to guy will be "a 24/7 job" that requires sensitivity to "the psychology, emotions and needs of the president beyond policy." At the same time, says Andy Card, policy wonks will push "breathlessly" for their goals whether or not "the climate is receptive to the debate."

Card, whose inclusive temperament is unlike "Rahmbo's" balls-up approach, advises him to nurture the type-A personality disputes that inevitably arise. "Contrary to the myth, there is no monolithic thinking in the White House," Card says. "You actually want a healthy tension and contrarian views expressed." Card's only mistake on the grueling job? He wishes he'd "left a year and a half earlier."

In this June 6, 2008, file photo Rep. Rahm Emanuel, who has accepted the post of White House Chief of Staff, huddles with then-Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama in Chicago.
In this June 6, 2008, file photo Rep. Rahm Emanuel, who has accepted the post of White House Chief of Staff, huddles with then-Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama in Chicago.   (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
President-elect Obama answers a question as his Chief of Staff-designate Rahm Emanuel listens during a news conference in Chicago, Friday, Nov. 7, 2008.
President-elect Obama answers a question as his Chief of Staff-designate Rahm Emanuel listens during a news conference in Chicago, Friday, Nov. 7, 2008.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
White House Chief of Staff-designate Rahm Emanuel listens during a news conference by President-elect Obama in Chicago, Friday, Nov. 7, 2008.
White House Chief of Staff-designate Rahm Emanuel listens during a news conference by President-elect Obama in Chicago, Friday, Nov. 7, 2008.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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You have to have excellent peripheral vision, recognizing that a lot of other people in the White House will have tunnel vision. - Andy Card, President Bush's former Chief of Staff

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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Shannonals
Nov 7, 2008 11:20 PM CST
Rahm Emanuel as COS. Damn, look out for the fireworks
piodalcin
Nov 7, 2008 7:41 PM CST
great choice mr president elected
 

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