Fleischer, known for his always-controlled responses to reporters' sometimes hectoring questioning, said he informed President George W. Bush on Friday of his decision.
"It's a happy-sad moment," he told United Press International. "For the first time in my life, I'm going to pursue things out of government."
Before joining the Bush team, Fleischer was the spokesman for Elizabeth Dole during her 2000 bid for the Republican candidacy to challenge Vice President Al Gore. Before that he worked as a staff member on Capitol Hill.
Fleischer, 42, said his time in the White House was momentous given the events that have transpired since the 2000 election - the balloting conundrum: the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and two wars. But he had no regrets, especially working for a president he admires.
"I always though I was only going to stay a few months when I first arrived in Washington," he said. "Here it is 21 years later.
"You have to know in your heart when it's time to go," he added.
Fleischer said his resignation would probably come into effect in July.
"Whatever works best for the president," he said.
While planning to hit the speakers' circuit and write before finding work in the private sector, he plans to help in the president's re-election effort, he said.
Fleischer told UPI he had meant to make the announcement to the media earlier in the day and had gone out to the South Lawn, where people were gathered in preparation for the arrival ceremony for Philippine President Gloria Arroyo, "but there was no one there."
As word spread, his phone began to ring incessantly.
"Are you really leaving, Ari?" he was asked. "Yes, that's exactly what I'm going to do," he replied.
Copyright 2003 by United Press International.
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