Bush to Visit Wounded Soldiers

WASHINGTON – President Bush (search) is paying a bedside visit to soldiers wounded in Iraq as American forces fight fierce battles in Fallujah (search) to seize insurgent strongholds from Sunni militants.

A week after the election that gave him a second term, Bush was turning from personnel decisions for his Cabinet and staff to go to Washington's Walter Reed Army Medical Center (search), accompanied by his wife, Laura. On a similar visit in March, the president awarded Purple Hearts to eight soldiers.

The U.S. toll in Iraq has surpassed 1,100, and the assault on Fallujah pushed that number higher Monday when two Marines died. White House press secretary Scott McClellan said Bush was "very well aware of the sacrifices that our men and women in the military are making. You know, the loss of any life is terrible. The president mourns the loss of each and every one of our fallen."

Bush reviewed developments in Iraq in a meeting Monday with Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld. The secretary later would not say whether he wants to continue in his job in Bush's second term and said the matter hasn't been discussed in postelection meetings.

Rumsfeld aides have said they expect him to remain for the start of Bush's new term, although whether he aims to stay the full four years is unclear. Other possibilities for the top Pentagon job include Sen. John Warner, R-Va.; national security adviser Condoleezza Rice, who has told associates she plans to resign; and John Lehman, a former Navy secretary and a Republican member of the Sept. 11 commission.

In the only major decision announced for Bush's second term, the president will keep Andy Card as White House chief of staff. An unflappable veteran of the Reagan and first Bush presidencies, Card is admired for his work ethic, steady hand and open-door policy.

Keeping Card aboard is "a real pin strike for the president," said Nick Calio, Bush's former liaison to Capitol Hill. "He is a very, very solid leader; he is one of the most capable people I have ever met or worked for in my entire life; and he manages without ego and solely on behalf of the president," Calio said.

Another former staff adviser, Jay Lefkowitz, said Card "makes sure the president gets perspective from all relevant people on staff on any particular issue."

"The Chief," as Card is known at the White House, was appointed four years ago this month, even before the 2000 recount was resolved. He told The Associated Press in a February 2001 interview that he normally arrived at work at 5:30 a.m. and stayed until the president had retired for the night. Aides say Card, 57, continues that schedule nearly four years later.

"There's a certain comfort walking into the West Wing when it's still dark out, and seeing the light in Andy's office on," said Adam Levine, a former assistant White House press secretary.