President Bush's new chief of staff said it was time to "refresh and reenergize the team" and told senior White House aides who might be thinking about quitting this year to go ahead and leave now.

Joshua B. Bolten laid down his directive at his first meeting with top presidential aides. Bolten replaced Andrew H. Card Jr., Bush's staff chief for the first five years of his presidency.

NYT coverage is New Chief of Staff Sends Message: The White House Exits Are Open.

"It's a smart, savvy move," said Kenneth M. Duberstein, a Republican lobbyist. "It's the symbolism and it's the message and it's the reality: they're serious about a revitalized, re-energized team."