Scott McClellan resigned today from his post as the top communicator for the White House.
While he didn’t make policy decisions, he communicated them.
As those that regularly read this column know, I am not a political blogger. My personal politics run decidedly independent; however, Scott’s credibility with the press had been compromised in the Rove controversy and subsequent investigation over Valerie Plame.
There was a good, and fair, article about his tenure at the White House on Chron.com Saturday.
The political bloggers see the blood in the water and are on the attack.
Steve Benen of the Carpetbagger Report says that Scott was an unpopular figure in Washington, and other bloggers, such as Juston at Right on the Right hope that he will be replaced by with, as he puts it, “a fiery PR guy that’s not afraid to use his pedestal as a pulpit.”
As for me, I think the White House needs someone who can be “fiery” in private, making sure to get across the public relations implications and strategies to the bosses, and cool in public, communicating transparently and confidently. And, as a professional in public relations, I hope he or she will not use their position as a pulpit.
Speculation is running wild, as it always does in Washington, D.C. when anything out of the ordinary happens. One theory is that Fox News Radio Host Tony Snow is being considered.
Others being considered are rumored to be Former U.S. Department of Defense Press Secretary Victoria “Torie” Clarke (whom I would favor for the job, I like her philosophy and reputation of honesty) and former Coalition Provisional Authority spokesman in Iraq Dan Senor.
Not that they would have asked, but you couldn’t pay me enough to take that job. Have a good break from the job Scott, I am sure you will still have a prosperous career to come.
