CNN "The Situation Room" - Transcript: George Bush Staff Changes

Interview

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BLITZER: More now on our top story: the resignation of the president's chief of staff.

You just heard our exclusive interview with the president of the United States. Let's get some Democratic reaction right now.

The Illinois Senator Dick Durbin is joining us from Capitol Hill. He's the minority whip, the number-two Senate Democrat.

Senator, the president is not ruling out more staff changes in -- in that interview. What -- first of all, what's your reaction to the decision by Andy Card to resign?

SEN. RICHARD DURBIN (D), ILLINOIS: Well, he worked hard. He was a great public servant. And I think, if this was a personal decision, that he wanted to spend a little more time with his family, a little less hectic lifestyle, that is understandable.

But he's one of the most reasonable, professional people in this White House, a person whose word is very good. And if this is the beginning of cleaning house, they tossed the wrong guy overboard.

BLITZER: Because the White House chief of staff has to deal with members of Congress, especially the leadership, Republicans and Democrats.

From your perspective, as a Democratic leader, you are saying you had a good relationship.

DURBIN: Oh, I did.

BLITZER: You could trust Andy Card.

DURBIN: Absolutely.

BLITZER: Well, what about Josh Bolten, the budget director, who is going to be the new White House chief of staff?

DURBIN: I can't speak to Josh Bolten on a personal basis.

I will tell you that, with the budget deficit out of control, I don't think he comes to this job with a great set of credentials. But I want to give him a chance. You know, the bottom line is, if the president of the United States is going to lead this country in a new direction, which they are begging for, then he needs a new approach, a new team, maybe a new set of political values.

BLITZER: Like -- well, so, what else are you recommending? Clearly, the president has got his own advisers. You are not necessarily one of his advisers. But what else would you like to see?

DURBIN: I think there are people in the Cabinet who should leave. I won't go through names. But I will tell you that some of the policies that they have been pushing are just total failures.

BLITZER: Well, give us a few examples.

DURBIN: Well, take Iraq, for a starter.

In this situation now, we have a president counseling patience, saying wait for the next president of the United States to remove the American troops. What kind of message is that to send to the Iraqis? We ought to tell them there's a sense of urgency. They need to take control of their own country. They need to defend their own country. They need Iraqi soldiers ready to stand and fight, so American soldiers can come home.

BLITZER: Would you like to see Donald Rumsfeld resign? DURBIN: I am not a big fan of Secretary Rumsfeld.

I think this policy in Iraq has been a disastrous policy. And I think his leadership on many issues, whether it's sending enough troops, arming our troops with what they need to come home safely, preparing Iraq, so that it can take care of its own defense future, I think there have been a lot of failures in this Department of Defense.

BLITZER: That sounds like a yes to me.

DURBIN: It's close.

BLITZER: OK.

Listen to what the president said about Iraq in the exclusive interview he gave to CNN en Espanol on the eve of his summit. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: I believe my vision for a better future entails having a democratic Iraq as a friend and an ally, and to prevent the stated goals of the enemy from taking place.

They want us to leave Iraq, so they can establish a safe haven from which to launch attacks on our -- on our people again. And I take their -- I take their goal seriously. And I will use all resources at my disposal in order to protect the American people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: What's wrong with that?

DURBIN: Nothing. In fact, it's a great goal.

For two years, they have promised, though, that the Iraqi soldiers would stand up and fight for their own country. I will believe it when the first Iraqi soldier replaces an American soldier.

And now we have the president saying, well, maybe it's another two-and-a-half years before that day comes. I just think that that's a timetable that evidences no plan, no real view of the future that -- with any kind of certainty that our troops are going to return.

BLITZER: Senator McCain, a Republican, an independent Republican, if you will, just back from Iraq, he said this earlier today.

I want your reaction.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: I think we have got some tough sledding ahead, and I would be very much opposed to any troop withdrawals at this time, in my assessment of the situation.

Clearly, a calendar should not dictate in war troop strengths or any other battlefield tactics or strategy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Do you have a problem with that?

DURBIN: If Iraq is descending into a civil war, if that's the suggestion I hear from my colleague, what is the end of this story?

How will it end? Can we bring these people together, so they can govern their own country, protect themselves? Many of us said it's a lot easier to get in a war than it is to get out. And we are being proven right. I hope that this administration is making it clear, at least behind the scenes, to the Iraqis, that this kind of government fumbling that we are seeing now is unacceptable.

BLITZER: Senator, there's a lot of pundits out there who think the Democrats have a shot at capturing the majority in the House.

But what about the Senate? As you look at the various races that are open, a third of the Senate up for reelection, what do you think? Do the Democrats have a shot of actually becoming the majority in the Senate?

DURBIN: I have sensed, as I have traveled around Illinois and around this country, that there is a real mood for change.

People want to see a new direction. They are tired of the Bush direction for this country. They just don't think we are really addressing the major issues.

They don't feel more secure, when we have a country with a Dubai ports deal. They don't feel more secure, when we don't provide the necessary resources to our police and our firefighters, not checking on ports for security, not dealing with chemical and nuclear plant security. They want real security in this country. They want leadership that is dedicated to health insurance that is affordable and accessible for all Americans and their businesses. There's just no leadership coming from this administration.

BLITZER: All right, Senator Durbin, we will leave it there.

Thanks very much for joining us.

DURBIN: Thank you.

BLITZER: Dick Durbin, the number-two Senate Democrat.

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