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Politics

Bush adviser resigns after 14 years

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published June 2, 2007

WASHINGTON - Dan Bartlett, one of President Bush's most trusted advisers and his longest-serving aide, said Friday he is resigning to begin a career outside of government.

The move was announced on Bartlett's 36th birthday. He has been with Bush for nearly 14 years, from Bush's first campaign as governor of Texas, through two races for the White House and more than six years of a presidency marked by costly wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and an ongoing battle against terrorism.

"His contribution has been immeasurable. I value his judgment and I treasure his friendship, " Bush said in a statement. "Since coming to work for me fourteen years ago as I prepared to run for governor, Dan has become a husband and a father. I understand his decision to make his young family his first priority."

As counselor to the president, Bartlett has been at the center of White House decisionmaking, stepping into the public eye in times of trouble to defend Bush on everything from the unpopular war in Iraq to the government's bungled response to Hurricane Katrina and the Republicans' loss of Congress.

He is known as someone who has Bush's ear, one of few people who can give the president bad news or tease him about wearing a brown suit disliked by the White House staff and nicknamed Big Brown.

"He can talk to the president in a candid way, in sort of a family way, that almost nobody else can, " White House chief of staff Joshua Bolten said.

With the exception of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's resignation in November, Bartlett's departure marks the first major turnover in Bush's senior staff since a major reshuffling a year ago to reinvigorate the administration and overcome low ratings.

With twin 3-year-old boys and another son born in January, Bartlett said it was time to pursue a new chapter of his life and "reacquaint myself with my family."

Bartlett said he was open to job opportunities and had retained Washington lawyer Bob Barnett to help him in the search.

[Last modified June 2, 2007, 02:01:11]