Chat Details

Former White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card 11-18-08

This chat will begin at noon on Tuesday, November 18, 2008.

Read the transcript of the chat with former White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card, who joined us on Tuesday, Nov. 18.

Transcript

1. • What advice do you have for Rahm Emanuel? Also, do you think it's dangerous that he has such a friendly relationship with the press? by Washington DC
   • Answer: Rahm has been given an unbelievable opportunity and a responsibility almost beyond comprehension. The job is to manage the day-to-day acivities at the White House, to meet what I call the care-and-feeding needs of the President, to coordinate policy formulation, and then to communicate the direction from the President. He must have a private and candid relationship with the President. That said, yes, I think it WOULD be dangerous to continue the somewhat cozy relationship that he has had with the press. by
2. • Did you ever think when we lived in that sleepy little town of Holbrook that you would reach the high position in the Bush Administration? What are your future plans? by Palm Springs, CA
   • Answer: With pride, I am from Holbrook, MA, and still consider it home. (I met my wife in the 5th grade.) Future plans? I am still celebrating and recovering from my experiences at The White House! Politics, public service will always find my participation, but, NO, I have no immediate plans. Nor have I been offered any particular invitation. by
3. • Mr. Card, first, I want to express my opinion that your public service has been one of honesty, intelligence and humility. This country and world can only pray there are many more like you. Second, as you might be aware, Mr. Obama has sparked an unnecessary controversy by his adamant refusal to forthrightly address his constitutional eligibility as it concerns his place of birth and his multiple foreign citizenships. My question is this: What could he do, in your opinion, that would best resolve this uncertainty prior to January 20, 2009? Thank you for your thoughts on this and God bless you and your family. by Quincy, MA
   • Answer: Greetings to my Holbrook neighbor! I never understood why the issue of a birth certificate was not resolved by just releasing a copy. My understanding is that officials in Hawaii have reviewed it. by
4. • The Washington Times welcomes Andrew Card, who served as chief of staff in the Bush White House from 2001 to 2006. Thanks for taking our questions today Mr. Card. by David Eldridge
   • Answer: Thank you for allowing me to join you and those who have questions. I look forward to the interaction. by
5. • How does a new administration determine what to focus on, first? by Washinngton, DC
   • Answer: #1. Help the new President keep his oath to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution." #2. Help the President staff the leadership of the Executive Branch. #3. Address the immediate concerns of the citizens -- the economy. #4. Start working on the agenda promised during the campaign with a recognition that you must establish realistic priorities. by
6. • What are you working on in your post-government life? by Washington, DC
   • Answer: My post-White House experiences started in May of 2006 with a long overdue role in helping my spouse in her calling as a minister. I have relished the chance to spend more quality time with our 3 children and now five grandchildren. I have enjoyed the so-called speaking circuit under the guidance of the Washington Speakers Bureau. I serve on two corporate boards and a couple of advisory boards. Life is good, but yes, I miss being at the center of the real action in our democracy. by
7. • With so many appointments and new positions in a new administration; how does all of the information funnel, to make sure that the president's wishes are being carried out? by Washington, DC
   • Answer: The direction to those who help a President govern in a practical sense come through the staff at The White House -- Chief of Staff, Assistants to the President, and from Cabinet Members. Process and communications discipline are critically important. by
8. • Who do you support to be the next Chairman of the RNC? by Washington, DC
   • Answer: Who do you support? I welcome the intramural exercises that are happening in the GOP. Last week I addressed the Republican Attorneys General meeting in Charleston, SC. Their discussion was insightful. The GOP Governors' meeting stimulated lots of thoughts. GOP leaders in the House and Senate and the cast of "formers" should all noodle, audition and expound. The citizens and voters in our nation are "center right." So is our party. by
9. • What could be Obama's biggest mistake & the best thing he could do in the transition period? by Washington, DC
   • Answer: Transistion "mistakes" have a tendency to be centered around personnel decisions and/or initially advancing policies (i.e. President Clinton's "gays in the military") that are disconnected with the needs of the people. In terms of President-elect Obama, I appreciate his priority of naming a WH Chief of Staff, and WH Counsel early. I hope he will name a Staff Secretary and Director of Presidential Personnel soon, as they are very important to a President's ability to "hit the ground running." President Bush has done a fabulous job of making sure the transition will go smoothly. by
12. • What do you think President Bush's legacy will be? by Washington, DC
    • Answer: History will be much kinder to President George W. Bush than current expectations. After the attacks of 9-11, he rallied a nation and the world to fight terror. As a man of resolve, he worked every single day to keep his oath of office and protected us. He also followed through on his campaign commitments -- cutting taxes, reforming education, and fighting AIDs and malaria in Africa. The President makes the toughest of decisions. I watched George W. Bush meet that awesome reponsibility extremely well. by
13. • The GOP is leaderless at present. In January, the Republican National Committee will election a national chairman. Do you think that new chairman or chairwoman should be able to be 1) the public face of the GOP 2) a new-ideas source, 3) national fundraiser-in-chief and 4) the person who makes the trains run on time for the party machinery? Or is that too much to expect from one person? If it is too much, should the 168 members of the national committee elect one of their own who can raise money and make the trains run on time and appoint a general chairman who is good on television and/or coming up with new ideas? by Ralph_Z._Hallow
    • Answer: Ralph- Good to get your question. The party needs a leader who can do all of what you suggest -- or at least attract a team that will do it all. Yes, I believe the communications abilities of our party leadership need to restore trust and convey principled philosophy with new ideas that reflect the true values of a center-right population. by
15. • Mr. Card, we're nearing the end of our chat. Thank you for joining The Washington Times today, and we would love to have you back again anytime. by David Eldridge
    • Answer: David- It has been fun Keep in touch :) Andy by