George W. Bush's former chief of staff is worried about Reince Priebus
White House chief of staff is already considered one of "the most grueling jobs in Washington," The New York Times Mark Leibovich writes, with most lasting no more than two years in the job. But Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus, who President-elect Donald Trump recently tapped for the position, might have an especially tough couple years ahead of him.
Andy Card, who served as George W. Bush's chief of staff for five years, admitted to Leibovich that he has more than one concern as Priebus readies himself to tackle the task. Card pointed to Priebus' two young children as an "area of angst," as the job is "24-7 and never stops." He also voiced his concern about how Trump's tendencies could make a hard job even harder. "I'm thinking he would be a very hard president to work for if he doesn't accept people speaking candidly to him," Card said, noting a red flag was raised when Trump "jumped all over" Fox News host Megyn Kelly after the first Republican presidential primary debate.
Moreover, Card said, "chief of staff is the only job in Washington that is really defined by what the president's idiosyncrasies are." "Are they a morning person or an evening person?" Card said. "Disciplined or not? Do they suffer fools kindly or not?"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Read the full story on what lies ahead for Priebus and how his role with his soon-to-be boss has evolved over at The New York Times.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Biden is smart to keep the border-security pressure on'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Bird flu worries mount as virus found in milk, cows
Speed Read The FDA found traces of the virus in pasteurized grocery store milk
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Palazzo Durazzo Suites in Genoa: a palatial gem in northern Italy
The Week Recommends Live your Italian dream in this astonishing and recently restored palace in the heart of the city
By Nick Hendry Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
More than 2,000 dead following massive earthquake in Morocco
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mexico's next president will almost certainly be its 1st female president
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
North Korea's Kim to visit Putin in eastern Russia to discuss arms sales for Ukraine war, U.S. says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Gabon's military leader sworn in following coup in latest African uprising
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published