President Backpedals On Budget Amendment

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, Nov. 13) -- White House aides Wednesday were working hard to explain that the president didn't really mean what he seemed to say the day before -- that his opposition to a balanced budget amendment had softened.

During Oval Office remarks delivered Tuesday, the president said, "If the escape hatch is good, then we'll manage it the best way we can."

Aides say in fact they were somewhat surprised to hear him talking for so long on the subject. The president was in his professor mode, said one. And he later asked his economic advisors to make it plain he still opposes an amendment.

They concede he may not work as actively against such a move as he has in the past, but say the issue really hasn't been thought out.

Meanwhile, on the staff front there's been some internal grumbling about the way in which some changes are being made. Deputy Chief of Staff Harold te, who masterminded the Clinton campaign machine, was treated especially poorly, say associates. Incoming chief of staff Erskine Bowles had wanted him removed to install his own team, but the president didn't tell Ickes before the move was announced.

Another resignation: Energy Secretary Hazel O'Leary submitted hers today, and the White House accepted it.

On the appointments front, Clinton named outgoing chief of staff Leon Panetta to head up a 17-member team to prepare for his second term. Departing deputy chief of staff Harold Ickes will take charge of inauguration planning.

A choice for secretary of state had been expected by the end of the week but word is it may be delayed.

White House Press Secretary Mike McCurry told reporters, "The president is thinking of different pieces that must fit together, and fit together well. I don't rule out the possibility that we might end up with announcements, eventually, we might end up with announcements in other positions before we say something about secretary of state."

One adviser said the president has decided that the speed with which these decisions are made is less important than getting them right.

This story originally appeared on CNN's "Inside Politics."

President Backpedals On Budget Amendment

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