Bush kept Snow only after Wall St. exec turned the job down

[quaoar]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48382-2004Dec8.html

Treasury Secretary Is Asked To Stay
Bush Considered Others Before Extending Offer

By Mike Allen and Jonathan Weisman
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, December 9, 2004; Page A01

President Bush invited Treasury Secretary John W. Snow yesterday to remain on the job after the White House withheld its endorsement for 10 days while aides hinted that he would be replaced.

Snow was kept on only after the White House considered a variety of possible replacements and sounded out at least one top official on Wall Street. That executive turned the White House down, according to financial executives.

Bush was looking for a replacement because Republican leaders on Capitol Hill said he needed a more dynamic outsider of stature to sell skeptical lawmakers on his politically risky proposals to rewrite the tax code and allow workers to invest part of their Social Security taxes in stocks and bonds.

Administration officials said that when no ideal successor could be found, Bush aides decided to retain Snow to put an end to rampant speculation that the former railroad executive was on his way out. The aides feared that the uncertainty would leave Snow damaged on Wall Street and Capitol Hill as Bush began the fight for his ambitious second-term agenda, and they decided the president would benefit from continuity on the economic team as he developed details of the proposals.

[Pirate Smile]

1. Well, that makes Snow look really good doesn't it. I was wondering

what was going on.

Snow should quit. Why the hell does he need to take this crap from "Mr. Loyal" Bush?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. So -- Snow is sloppy seconds?

Bet that makes him feel real excited about sticking around for another term with this crop of losers.

[Sub Atomic]

5. That'll be his legacy

I was #2

[Gloria]

3. Wow, what a vote of confidence. If Snow has any sense of

dignity, he'd resign. ...NAH, he just the usual lackey....

[quaoar]

4. I think he likes seeing his name

on the currency.