President's long-serving aide resigns quietly

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By Jon Ward

Joe Hagin's departure from the White House was announced on Thursday the same way one of the president's closest aides has operated for the past eight years - very quietly.

White House press secretary Dana Perino made several announcements to start her morning briefing, and then began to take questions before catching herself.

"That's all I have to start with - I'm sorry, I have one other thing. This morning, Deputy White House Chief of Staff Joe Hagin, who many of you know, announced that he will be leaving the White House on July 20th," she said.

Mrs. Perino relayed a few brief words from President Bush, who she said called Mr. Hagin "a very loyal friend" and said he is "very excited" for his next career move.

And that was it. Quick, effective and low-profile. Just the way the unassuming Mr. Hagin wanted it.

"Stay in character to the end," he said in an interview in his West Wing Office. "I don't see any reason to change the way I operated on this date."

Mr. Hagin's departure, to a yet-to-be-announced corporate job in Chicago, further shrinks the already tiny circle of White House aides who have been with Mr. Bush for his entire presidency.

Only Chief of Staff Joshua B. Bolten, his deputy Joel D. Kaplin, adviser Barry Jackson, administrator Linda Gambatesa and regional press director Jeanie Mamo have been in or near Mr. Bush's inner circle since he took office almost eight years ago.

Mr. Hagin will not be feted, criticized or widely discussed on his way out, as were former top Bush aides Karl Rove and Dan Bartlett.

But those inside the White House will feel the absence of a man who has worked on all but one U.S. presidential campaigns since 1976.