Snow to remain as treasury chief: White House

WASHINGTON, Dec 8 (AFP) - President George W. Bush asked Treasury Secretary John Snow to remain in the top economic cabinet post for Bush`s second term, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said Wednesday.
Snow agreed to the request, the spokesman said.
"He and the president met in the Oval Office a short time ago and during the discussion the president asked Secretary Snow if he would continue to serve in the administration during a second term and Secretary Snow agreed," McClellan told reporters.
The announcement dashed speculation in recent weeks that Snow was on his way out at treasury in favor of someone new to press for congressional approval of Bush`s ambitious second-term economic agenda.
The New York Times reported Monday that Bush planned to replace Snow, with White House chief of staff Andrew Card among those being considered for the post.
Eight members of Bush`s cabinet have already announced their resignations as the president prepares to undertake his second four-year term in January. Reports had circulated in Washington that Snow was also on his way out.
Sunday, an adviser to the White House privately told the Times that "a firm decision had been made to replace Mr. Snow as soon as Mr. Bush could settle on a successor."

12/08/2004 20:27 GMT - AFP