Whatever its rationale, the replacement of Andy Card with Josh Bolten isn’t in reponse to criticisms from the President’s congressional allies. Frustrated lawmakers talk about the arrogance and insularity of the White House staff. Says one ally, “They are insanely protective of their secrets.” These complaints include OMB. Some observers have diagnosed that top aides are exhausted. Josh Bolten has been in the overworked inner circle since 1999. One Administration friendly thinks that the negative effect of being “battle-tested” is that the embattled staff has lost the ability to disinguish the real political problems (like the Dubai port controversy) from the routine incoming attacks. But there is no new blood in this “shake up.” It’s more like Andy Card put aside a vial of his own in the event the White House needed a transfusion.