Bush Names Sununu Chief of Staff

WASHINGTON--President-elect George Bush yesterday named New Hampshire Gov. John Sununu as his White House chief of staff and announced campaign manager Lee Atwater as the new Republican National Committee Chair.

The selection of Sununu prompted a decision by longtime aide Craig Fuller to leave Bush's service. Fuller had served as the vice president's chief of staff and made it clear he wanted the powerful White House post.

"John Sununu has the background and experience necessary to work not only with his former colleagues in the nation's statehouses but also to build a constructive relationship with the U.S. Congress," Bush said.

He said Sununu's background "will bring a refreshing new perspective that in my view is critical. He is the right man in the job."

Sununu, a blunt-spoken three-term governor credited with engineering Bush's New Hampshire primary win, brings to the job a reputation as an aggressive, hands-on manager. His appointment cheered conservatives. but worried some on Capitol Hill as well as Jewish leaders.

Atwater, an architect of Bush's presidential victory, will succeed Frank Fahrenkopf Jr. as chair of the Republican Party.

"I expect the party to move forward and grow. I will strongly recommend to members of the national committee Lee Atwater to become the chairman," said Bush, describing Atwater as a master of grassroots politics.

Bush, who held the post of Republican national chair during the height of the Watergate scandal, said Atwater's function would be "winning elections."

"He's a friend; I'm proud of his accomplishments," Bush said.

Fuller, in a telephone interview, said he told Bush in October that "I wanted to return to the private sector." But he said he also told Bush during that conversation that "obviously, I would be eager" to serve as chief of staff, often called the second most powerful position in the White House.

Fuller, who served as Bush's vice presidential chief of staff since 1985, said he will resign when Bush's transition is completed in January.

Fuller denied that he had lobbied Bush for the top White House staff job, and said he was not bitter about Sununu's appointment.

"Now, I think this is a good breaktime after eight years," he said.