Bush Selects Racicot To Head GOP, Announcement Scheduled For Wednesday,Sources Say

NJ.Com ^ | December 4, 2001 | Ron Fournier

[Lady In Blue]

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Bush selects Racicot to head GOP, announcement scheduled for Wednesday, sources say

By RON FOURNIER
The Associated Press
12/4/01 7:13 PM

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush on Tuesday selected former Montana Gov. Marc Racicot to chair the Republican National Committee, GOP officials said. Party leaders are expected to endorse the selection next month.

Racicot would replace Gov. Jim Gilmore of Virginia, who resigned Friday amid friction with the White House.

Bush turned to Racicot as part of a broader overhaul of RNC operations to prepare for midterm 2002 elections, with control of Congress and three dozen statehouses at stake.

The president gave his blessing to Racicot's selection during a meeting Tuesday with staff. Republican leaders were notified of the decision late Tuesday, according to two senior Republican officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Racicot, 53, a two-term Montana governor, was one of Bush's earliest supporters. He helped the Texan gain the backing of a majority of GOP governors in the late 1990s, creating a launching pad for the Bush presidential campaign.

During the Florida election recount, Racicot emerged as one of the Bush campaign's most effective spokesmen. He projected a sense of calm and order amid the chaotic political climate, Democratic and Republican admirers said.

He was Bush's first choice to be attorney general, but took himself out of the running for family and financial reasons. Conservative activists objected to his candidacy because he was considered too moderate on some issues.

Bush selected staunch conservative John Ashcroft, a former Missouri governor and senator.

Since the campaign, Racicot has been working at a Washington law firm.

Racicot did not return telephone calls Tuesday.

Party members elect the RNC chairman at a meeting next month. Bush's choice is virtually certain to get the nod because he is the titular head of the party.

In recent days, Racicot and senior Bush adviser Karl Rove discussing terms of employment. One issue was whether the former governor can earn money from outside the RNC after he becomes chairman, the officials said.

White House officials said there was no other serious contender for the job unless Racicot had turned it down. Names of several other prospects were floated just in case, including Rep. J.C. Watts, R-Okla., and Rep. Henry Bonilla, R-Texas.

Gilmore had clashed with the White House, angling for more authority over the RNC than Bush or Rove would allow. Racicot is considered a team player by the White House, a savvy politician who will follow Rove's lead, help raise money and represent the president well on TV.

Copyright 2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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[Lady In Blue]

FYI and DISCUSSION.

[Keith]

Good choice...he showed how one can talk reasonably on TV while sticking a stake in the heart of the Dumbocraps behind the scenes. Look for us to take back the Senate in November. It's about electing Republicans, and nothing proves that better than the horsesh*t Dasshole has been pulling on the judicial nominations.

[onyx]

You are right! The kid-gloves have been removed! President Bush is serious about the 2002 elections! YA-HOO! Color me happy! :^)

[McGavin999]

This guy is perfect for the job. He's an articulate speaker, has great presense, quick on his feet. He should be great on the talking head shows.

[KQQL]

Too bad he ( Marc.R) would have wiped out the RAT from Montana, Maxy Waxy Bacusususususususu.
I doubt Taylor will be able to defeat Maxy Waxy.
This is good for the GOP and Maxy Waxy....
Write Montana as RAT senate seat in 2002:(

[veronica]

Bump.

[deport]

Looks like your orginal article was correct... and my guess of a trial balloon incorrect. I believe he'll do a good job here much like he did in FL during the recount.....

[deport]

LiB, thanks for the post... FYI. Maybe the gloves will come off during the next year..

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Thanks! I sincerely appreciate your post. As said at the time, I wouldn't have posted it as Breaking News but for the fact that Fred Barnes stated it as flat-out fact on The Beltway Boys, and not merely as "buzz". I only hope that Racicot will be a strong, effective advocate for the GOP.

[rep-always]

I trust President Bush with this choice. Racicot was wonderful here in Florida and his striking and articulate interviews with the liberal press were wonderful.

Let's pray for the senate and hope to God that we get it back. We also need to work hard this summer and fall to get the senate back and keep the house. But I do think this is a great choice.

The president has not let us down till now and I trust his judgment and definitely Rove's.

[onyx]

Don't worry. Mark will provide Taylor with lot$ of re$ource$.

[Miss Marple]

Gloves are off, deport, although in a very nice Dubya way. I just posted the transcript of the town hall meeting today. Daschle better get a move on, or he will find out that actions (or lack of action) have consequences....just like Hamass found out today.

[BlueAngel]

Great choice! He is a good man, articulate and a team player. McAwful will sound shrill, uneducated, and low class next to Racicot.

[GreatOne]

I agree with you, KQQL, and disagree with onyx. The best way Racicot could serve his party is take the Senate seat back. I don't care how good the RNC chairman is, if you don't have good candidates to run, you're going to lose. Racicot was a shoo-in to win in Montana. To unseat an incumbent senator, you need a lot more than money. If we don't win the Senate back in 2002, then, on the domestic front, it will not have made a difference that Bush won in 2000.

[goodnesswins]

YIPPEE.....another Cowboy in the Republican Party - and this one is the Head Rancher, now.....I LOVE IT! (My family has roots in Montana, and I wish I were there in stead of liberal la la land, here in Western Washington!)

[onyx]

I am HOPEFUL, but not confident. Although I think mad-Max will be easier to beat than many might think at this juncture! Racicot will have to campaign for Taylor in person!

[alloysteel]

It was a little astonishing that Racicot did not acccept a place on Bush's Cabinet. He is certainly well enough regarded by the majority of the high power brokers in Republican circles, right up there with John Ashcroft. We could expect to see much more prominent display of this highly charismatic and knowledgable conservative who is very much of the Dick Cheney stripe (and in excellent health, which may be a background factor).

[KQQL]

Maxy Waxy can't be beaten by Taylor ....period.
Maxy Waxy has been in the Senate since 1978

[KQQL]

Maxy Waxy can't be beaten by Taylor ....period.
Maxy Waxy has been in the Senate since 1978