Ari Fleischer Will Be Missed As Sparring Partner

Press Secretary, Retiring For Personal Reasons, Served President Well

WASHINGTON -- "I'm leaving the White House, but I'm not leaving President Bush," says press secretary Ari Fleischer.

Fleischer, on a final trip with the president in Africa, said in a farewell interview that he would work in the Bush reelection campaign wherever he is needed.

Fleischer, who has taken his share of potshots at the French, recently joked about the fact that his last day in the White House will be Monday, July 14, "Bastille Day," commemorating the French Revolution.

He expressed hope that at his final briefing, he would be accorded "a brief, momentary honeymoon, easy, nice, softball questions, Helen behaving herself, hopefully."

more: http://www.thebostonchannel.com/helenthomas/2322189/detail.html

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