The long awaited shakeup begins:

White House Chief of Staff Andrew H. Card Jr. announced his resignation this morning after nearly 5 1/2 years as President Bush's top aide. Bush said Card will be replaced by Joshua B. Bolten, the director of the Office of Management and Budget.

Card will serve until April 14 to provide a transition period. The move could presage broader staff changes as Bolten takes over an operation hobbled by political problems heading into a crucial midterm election season.

Bush made the announcement in the Oval Office at 8:30 a.m., standing at the podium with Card to his right, Bolten to his left. The president thanked Card for his "wise counsel, his calm in crisis, his ability, his integrity, and his tireless commitment to public service" and said "he will always be my friend."

This is highly likely the first of a significant number of welcome changes coming to an administration that still finds itself unable to climb out of the low polling hole, created by a number of unfortunate events, many of which it brought on itself. Andrew Card is a good man and highly respected on both sides of the political aisle, but the White House needs a good shakeup, as well as a fresh approach in presenting itself to the public and in dealing with Congress.