OMB deputy unlikely to move up to top slot

Don't look for President Bush's next budget director to be either of the deputies now working under Office of Management and Budget Director Joshua Bolten, according to Bolten himself, who was in good humor last week at the Radio and Television Correspondents' Dinner.

OMB's deputy for management, longtime Bush friend Clay Johnson, is great at the "M" part of the enterprise, and will stay put, Bolten said. Deputy Director Joel Kaplan, a real talent at age 36, will be essential to the next director.

Incoming Chief of Staff Bolten admits he's not a rise-and-shine guy, barely making it in for those 7:30 a.m. meetings at the White House in service to a president who's decidedly a morning person. Current Chief of Staff Andrew Card starts his workday at 5:30 a.m.

"I know Andy gets here really early every day," the president told Bolten. "I don't know why he does that."

Bolten, who left the dining room with a small group that included old friend and Republican stalwart Bo Derek, hinted that the next budget director will have the political chops to satisfy Capitol Hill as well as the budget know-how any director needs.