During a flight to Florida on Air Force One, President Bush effectively forced the resignation of his feisty chief of staff, John Sununu. Sununu's removal may not solve the president's immediate political problems as it could exacerbate criticism from the right. But Bush's move was an important step in restoring order and credibility to what has been one of America's most dysfunctional administrations. But Sununu's heavy-handed lobbying in congress and seeming disregard for its members' stature as elected representatives had bruised congressional egos and his abrasive operating style which had alienated longtime Bush allies would be a liability in the forthcoming re-election campaign.
During a flight to Florida on Air Force One, President Bush effectively forced the resignation of his feisty chief of staff, John Sununu. Sununu's removal may not solve the president's immediate political problems as it could exacerbate criticism from the right. Sununu's strong anti-abortion stand won him strong support among social conservatives who distrusted Mr. Bush's roots in the moderate wing of his party. But Sununu's heavy-handed lobbying in congress and seeming disregard for its members' stature as elected representatives had bruised congressional egos and his abrasive operating style which had alienated longtime Bush allies would be a liability in the forthcoming re-election campaign.