Washington – Ed Gillespie, a high-dollar Washington lobbyist and longtime go-to guy for President Bush and the Republican Party, is replacing Dan Bart lett as White House counselor in the president’s inner circle.
“He is a seasoned hand who has got excellent judgment. He’s a good strategic thinker that I know will do a fine job,” Bush said after having lunch with Gillespie and Bartlett.
Gillespie, a former head of the national GOP, will take on Bart lett’s same duties and title. He starts June 27, to have some overlap with Bartlett, who is leaving around July 4.
Bartlett, 36, has been one of Bush’s most trusted advisers, a near-constant presence at Bush’s side and, at 14 years, his longest-serving aide. Bartlett has been with Bush from his first campaign as governor of Texas, through two races for the White House and more than six years of a presidency marked by declining support in the Iraq war.
But with three children under the age of 4, including twins, he said earlier this month that he needed less stress and a career outside of government.
The son of an Irish immigrant and two parents who never went to college – his dad owned a bar in New Jersey – Gillespie said later in the day that he was pinching himself that he had been called to duty for a president.
“I have a few goose bumps today,” he said.
Gillespie has been a high-profile Washington lobbyist, joining forces with former Clinton administration counsel Jack Quinn to form Quinn Gillespie & Associates. He was listed as lobbyist last year for dozens of clients, including such corporate giants as Microsoft, Verizon Wireless, AT&T, pharmaceutical manufacturer Bristol-Myers Squibb and Tyson Foods, lobbying reports show.
Funny and well-liked by reporters, Gillespie has played many roles for Bush, in addition to being Republican National Committee chairman during the 2004 elections that sent Bush back to the White House and retained GOP majorities in the House and Senate.
