NationalJournal: Please Resign, Bush Tells Political Appointees

[sabra]

http://lostintransition.nationaljournal.com/2008/12/bush-resign-bolten-letter.php

President Bush is helping clear the decks for President-elect Barack Obama by asking his political appointees to submit their resignations effective Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, according to a memo dated Dec. 1 and obtained by National Journal. White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten instructed Cabinet secretaries and heads of departments to collect resignation letters from political appointees, with the goal of providing the incoming president "maximum flexibility in assembling his administration."

Bolten said Bush's directions are "consistent with past practice," which is correct: Then-Chief of Staff John Podesta, acting on behalf of President Clinton, sent a similar memo to government leaders in November 2000, and previous presidents have taken similar steps.

The exceptions to Bush's order are federal inspectors general and "those individuals who hold termed positions," Bolten said. "Non-career Senior Executive Service and Schedule C appointees at independent and regulatory agencies headed by termed appointees" are also exceptions to the resignation order.

Should there be any confusion, Bolten helpfully includes a sample letter of two simple lines:

Dear Mr. President:

I hereby tender my resignation as (title). I anticipate that my last day of service will be January 20,2009, and I understand that you will act on this offer no later than noon, January 20, 2009.

Sincerely,

Name and title

[Danger Mouse]

1. Helpful of Bush to assist in cleaning up his garbage.

[cspanlovr]

2. Haven't some USA's said since then that they weren't leaving?

[Lerkfish]

3. this seems contradictory to the whole "burrowing" activity of the last month

:shrug:

[Cha]

5. Yes, it does and could be

just done ostentatiously to try and obfuscate the "burrowing".

[WI_DEM]

4. Okay if Bush really wants to be helpful:

He should arrange with Cheney to jointly resign. Pelosi becomes temporary president--she appoints Obama VP--he is confirmed overnight--then Pelosi resigns--and Obama becomes president and fills out the remainder of Bush's term and then begins his own term on January 20th.