American government employee who has served under several presidents before becoming a cabinet member of the George W. Bush administration in 2001. For more than 20 years, Card has played the role of protector for the Bush family. In a career that has had more twists and turns than may be expected, the former state legislator and one-time Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate was named White House Chief of Staff on 12/14/2000.
Card was forced to leave the Merchant Marine Academy when he disagreed with its rules. A crusading reformer, he moved from U.S. Secretary of Transportation to the role of auto industry lobbyist at $600,000 a year, a position in which he often opposed environmental and safety proposals. Trained as an engineer and personable, Card is generally known more for his politic congeniality than for making the tough decisions needed at the epicenter of power in Washington. The job is so sensitive that a chief of staff can save or doom a presidency.
Card was born to young parents, only 17 when he arrived. He grew up in his grandfather’s household with three generations present. His dad became a math and science teacher, then an attorney. Andrew grew up as a Boy Scout earning merit badges toward Eagle status. An ROTC member during college, he was dismissed when he married his sweetheart, Kathleene. By November 1967, he was a father to the first of his three kids, and deferred from military duty. After school graduation, he worked as a structural engineer in Massachusetts. At 24, he failed his first attempt to enter the state Legislature but two years later, in 1974, he won the seat.
A moderate Republican, Card worked well with the liberal Democrats. He supported Pro-Choice, but not public financing, a position he still holds. He worked on an anti-corruption panel known as the Ward Commission with a dedication that proved invaluable. Joining the senior Bush team, he helped with the Reagan primaries that won Bush his vice-presidential seat.
In 1982, Card ran for and lost the post of governor of Massachusetts. A week after election day, his wife miscarried a five-month pregnancy.
Card joined the Reagan administration as a liaison between governors and the White House. Working for Bush during his 1988 campaign, he was so dedicated that he saw his wife only 13 nights in the year before the New Hampshire primary and was the primary force behind Bush’s winning of NH. He also helped tar Dukakis with stories from first-hand information. During Bush’s early days in the presidency, Card became better acquainted with Bush Jr. Between 1988 and 1992, he was assistant to the president, deputy chief of staff, and secretary of transportation.
Upon leaving the White House in 1993, Card was president and CEO of the American Automobile Manufacturers Association. In 1998, he became the Washington lobbyist for General Motors.
Card?s last day as Chief of Staff at the White House was April 15, 2006. His resignation from the position was announced by President George W. Bush on March 28, 2006.
Link to Wikipedia biography