Top Bush counselor to leave White House

WASHINGTON, June 1 (UPI) -- Dan Bartlett, who has worked for President W. Bush" class="tpstyle">George W. Bush since Bush first ran for governor of Texas 14 years ago, announced his resignation Friday.

Bartlett said he plans to take a job in the private sector, The Washington Post reported. He will leave his job as White House counselor in July.

"I've had competing families," Bartlett said. "And unfortunately, the Bush family has prevailed too many times, and it's high time for the Bartlett family to finally prevail. And it is with three young children, at this point, with about 600 days left in the administration, I felt that this was an appropriate time."

Bartlett was a recent college graduate when he joined his first Bush campaign. He rose rapidly and in 2000 handled issues like the controversy over Bush's National Guard service.

"I value his judgment and I treasure his friendship," Bush said. "Since coming to work for me 14 years ago as I prepared to run for governor, Dan has become a husband and a father. I understand his decision to make his young family his first priority."