Mr. Card said that even if more money was made available, local governments could not use it quickly.

"I would do anything to help his parents," Mr. Card said in the interview.

Mr. Card said he did not like the sound of that.

Mr. Card, taken aback, quickly left, he said, and the president quietly closed the door of his study.

Mr. Card said the speech was a chance "to build on the momentum we already have been building."

Mr. Card has been quiet on the issue publicly.

Mr. Card was "not pleased," another high administration official said.

If anything, Mr. Card said, his hope had been to clear out old employees in part to make room for new ones.

"I take responsibility for everything that has not happened well," Mr. Card said.

He was a deputy chief of staff under Mr. Card from 2001 to 2003 and since then has been the budget director.