The next White House Press Secretary? - Democratic Underground

MADem

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Thu Apr-20-06 09:38 AM
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Poll question: The next White House Press Secretary?

Inspired by these, and other speculations: http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2006/04/two_more_press.html

Three More Press Sec. Potentials
Mark Corallo -- former DOJ comm. dir./dept. press. sec., ex-Livingston press. sec, current for-hire GOP troubleshooter. He served in the Army as an infantry officer. He's a consultant to Karl Rove's Plame case legal team and also a kick-butt softball player. Corallo declined to comment.

Trent Duffy -- recently stepped down as one of Scott's deputies to tend to his new family. At the time, he said he had no interest in Scott's job. Duffy is liked and respected by the press corps and WH staffers alike and is also close to Bolten.

Mark Pfeifle -- in the Bush admin, served as FEMA press sec. and chief press counselor to departing interior Sec. Gale Norton. Also a vet of many a GOP political operation (including the GOP convention in '04). Well-liked by reporters and by Three Who Matter -- Ken Mehlman, Karl Rove and Pres. Bush.

http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2006/04/clarke_says_no.html
Clarke Says No
On CNN's Situation Room just now, asked whether she'd take the job:
"Not happening. It's not under consideration. They're not going to ask. And I'm not going to do it."

http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2006/04/who_replaces_sc.html

Rob Nichols, currently the pres. of the Financal Services Forum? Insiders think his appointment is unlikely, although he does know Bolten.

Dan Bartlett It would obviously be a step down, but he is arguably the best on-camera communicator the Bush White House has... and he has a good relationship with most members of the press. He's also -- obviously -- very close to Bolten and Bush. He could do it for the rest of the year, groom a deputy in the meantime.

Victoria Clark -- She's close to Bolten, and, importantly, could assert herself as a peer to Rove and Bartlett. Would she take the job if her access to Bush and Bolten were guaranteed? Would the WH worry about her role as Pentagon spokeswoman during the Iraq war? Still, Clarke, asked a few weeks back about whether she'd take the job, replied: "You know, what did Sherman say? If nominated, won't run; if elected, will not serve. Not happening."

Dan Senor -- very well liked, but some in the president's circle believe that he enjoyed the spotlight a bit too much when he was Bremer's press guy. The Bush White House doesn't reward flash and sizzle, at least when manifested by aides to the president. His recent marriage to NBCer Campbell Brown is considered by some Republicans to be a "deal-breaker."

Brian Jones -- currently the RNC's comm. dir. Considered one of the best managers in the GOP comm. business. But he'll likely stay at the RNC. He also lacks on-camera experience.

Ron Bonjean -- current comm. dir to Denny Hastert; former comm. chief for Don Evans; has crisis experience, to boot. (He worked for Trent Lott during the relevant period of Mr. Lott's career.) Smart and talented and well-liked by the press. However, he is also not likely to leave his current job...

Who's your pick? Who would you LIKE to see, or who do you EXPECT to see, at the podium? I'm rooting for Tony Snow, myself--I'd love to see that snarky bastard get his ass handed to him by the likes of David Gregory and Helen Thomas!