 |
 |
| ||||||||
Bush's communications chief leaves campaign
July 14, 1999 AUSTIN, Texas (AllPolitics, July 14) -- Dave Beckwith, communications manager for Texas Gov. George W. Bush's presidential campaign, is leaving the campaign as a result of "stylistic" differences with the candidate. "I'm convinced George W. Bush will be our next president and a great one," Beckwith said in a statement released by the campaign. He said he was leaving "to return to Washington, D.C. with his family." Bush denied that Beckwith was fired. "He resigned. There was not a firing. It was a mutual resignation. It was between Dave and members of my staff. I'm sorry it didn't work," Bush said at an event Wednesday where he received the endorsement of Rep. John Kasich (R-Ohio). Speaking to CNN Tuesday night, Bush described Beckwith as "a good friend," and said, "We just kind of had a stylistic difference. I wish him all the best." Beckwith is known to have clashed from time to time with Karl Rove, the lead strategist for the campaign. But campaign sources insisted that the major reasons for his departure were personal. The communications manager was part of a three-member image team on Bush's campaign exploring the GOP presidential nomination. Mindy Tucker is the campaign's press secretary, while Karen Hughes carries the title of communications director. No replacement was immediately named. "I'm proud to have been aboard for his campaign launch. He is assembling a terrific team, and I look forward to helping in any way I can," Beckwith said in Tuesday's statement. Eric Woolson, Bush's Iowa communications director, said: "It was a style thing: D.C., Austin, different styles. From everything I know, it wasn't any big battle or anything. It was really very amicable, a friendly divorce." Asked whether Beckwith made mistakes, Woolson said, "I would have to think that would be true." Beckwith has a long history in communications, having served for 17 years as a Time magazine journalist, four years as Vice President Dan Quayle's press secretary and having supervised communications for Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's 1993 and 1994 campaigns. |
|
| |||||||
MORE STORIES:Wednesday, July 14, 1999
• First Lady's sworn statement denies 'Filegate' involvement • House expected to give itself pay raise • Forbes to launch second wave of presidential ad campaign • Republican leaders push president again for 'lock box' • Kasich drops out of GOP race • Gore sticks to issues, gets some help from boss • Gender equity legislation introduced on Capitol Hill • Bush's communications chief leaves campaign • Clinton expands food stamp eligibility • Minnesota Gov. Ventura will referee pro wrestling match • Public TV station gave list of donors to the Democrats • Poll: Giuliani moves ahead of Hillary Clinton • Reagan doctor says former president still declining • Bush defends old campaign literature touting active-duty service • House debates spending bill after reviving parks program • Bill would require adoption talk in clinics • First Lady's sworn statement denies 'Filegate' involvement | |||||||||