Andrew H. Card, Jr.
Andrew H. Card, Jr. (b. May 10, 1947), is President George Walker Bush's Chief of Staff.
Card served as Secretary of Transportation under President George Herbert Walker Bush (1992), and was Chief of Staff during the presidential transition in 2000-2001.
Card has also served as director of government affairs at General Motors Corp. (1999-2000); president and CEO, American Automobile Manufacturers Association (1993-1998); assistant to the president and deputy White House chief of staff (1989-92); New Hampshire primary campaign manager for George Bush (1987-88); special assistant to President Reagan for intergovernmental affairs (1983-87); candidate for Massachusetts governor (1983); various Massachusetts elected and appointed offices, including state legislator (1971-82); structural design engineer (1971-75). He received a B.S. in engineering from U.S.C. in 1971.[1]
Tracking Card's political career, The Associated Press, December 16, 2000.
"BOSTON -- Two decades ago, Andrew Card was part of a group of brash Republican newcomers out to rattle the entrenched Massachusetts Democratic Party.
"He is now on his way to the ultimate White House insider's post: chief of staff to President-elect George W. Bush. A formal announcement, delayed by Bush for weeks because of the disputed presidential election, could come as early as Saturday.
"Card already has Bush family and White House credentials.
"He was President Ronald Reagan's liaison to the nation's governors and then, after George Bush (the president-elect's father) was elected president in 1988, Card stayed on as assistant to chief of staff John Sununu. He later became transportation secretary.
"Those who've known him the longest say it's the skills Card learned in the trench warfare of Bay State politics -- along with hard work, a sharp mind and unflinching loyalty -- that have him on the verge of his important new job.
"'He has no guile. He's someone you trust. He's fiercely loyal and people are fiercely loyal to him,' said Andrew Natsios, a Card confidant now in charge of Boston's massive 'Big Dig' highway project.
"'If Andy's asked a question he will tell you the answer even if you don't want to hear it, and presidents need those kind of people around,' Natsios said. 'It's a long road from state representative to chief of staff for president of the United States, but with Andy it's not surprising.'
"Card's history with the Bush family began in 1980.
"That was then when he, Natsios and Paul Cellucci -- the incumbent Massachusetts governor who is believed to be in line for a Bush administration job -- led the elder George Bush's presidential campaign in Massachusetts.
"Cellucci was one of the first governors to publicly back the younger Bush's campaign. Natsios helped manage international relief operations in the elder Bush's administration.
"Card, after a failed run for governor in 1982, joined Reagan's administration and stayed through Bush's.
"After the Democrats won the White House in 1992, Card helped organize the transition, then found a lobbying job with the American Automobile Manufacturers Association, representing the big three U.S. car companies.
"That led to a job as director of government affairs for General Motors for Card, who lives in Holbrook, Mass. He took a leave of absence when the Bush family came calling again.
"This time, it was President Bush's son, George W., who sought him out to coordinate the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia. Card is credited with staging a seamless political coronation with no intraparty squabbling.
"Ed Gillespie, the Republican consultant who served as Card's No. 2 at the convention, said his boss' management style and disregard for 'the trappings of power' suit him for the job of White House chief of staff.... The success of the convention raised Card's stock with Bush, as did his personal style....
"Card's ability to work with both Democrats and Republicans could be of help to Bush, who as president may need to court Democratic support in a deeply divided Congress. As a moderate, Card counts even liberal Democrats among his admirers....
"Card's first political lessons came at his family's dinner table. His father was on the local school committee and ran for state representative. His brother, Brad, is chief of staff for Rep. John Sweeney, R-N.Y. His sister, Allison, works for Republican Connecticut Gov. John Rowland.
"Card honed his consensus-building skills in the Massachusetts House, where he united Republican and Democratic dissidents to take on the powerful Democratic speaker. 'They knew all the parliamentary rules,' said Republican consultant Charley Manning. Card was particularly fond of chasing down 'cockroach bills' -- spending bills lawmakers scurry away from when the light is turned on, Manning said.
"In 1980, Card also helped form the Ward Commission, which investigated corruption in construction of the Boston campus of the University of Massachusetts."
