Racicot to head RNC

Fox News

[thoughtfully_conservative]

Rita Cosby just said on Fox News that Mark Racicot has been tapped by Bush to head the RNC (7:45 pm Pacific Time, 12/04/01)

[thoughtfully_conservative]

WASHINGTON — 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.

[MindyW]

Heard the same thing on the radio (ABC affiliate) on the way home just a few minutes ago.

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[guitar Josh]

Does this mean he won't run for Senate in 2002?

[cantfindagoodscreenname]

Conservative activists objected to his candidacy because he was considered too moderate on some issues

Such as? Can anyone fill me in?

[MJY1288]

The RNC needs a Pit bull strategist and not some soft spoken talking head. I only remember Racicut during the time when Al(count-em-again)Gore was destroying what we used to know as statesmanship, maybe someone can tell me more about Racicut?

[lormand]

"Does this mean he won't run for Senate in 2002?"

I would like to know the same thing. He can easily beat Max Baucus the Commie Caucus.

[america-rules]

I think Racicot is going to tow the party line and make the GOP come accross as more moderate. I don't think his personal opinion matters too much as he will be saying what Bush/Rove what him to say. I think he will be a very good match up with that Terry MacIdiot !

[VA Advogado]

Wait till the liberal republicans get here and tell you that you're full of it for saying this about Racicot.

[Hazzardgate]

He is a master of logic....a soft spoken Spock. Velvet Hammer TNG? I think he can shut down McBallif pretty easilly. With words.

[thoughtfully_conservative]

Here here... I watched in horror as Gilmore fumbled time and time again against Terry McAullife. Gilmore couldn't even respond to DNC accusations that Bush was adding arsenic to water... I mean McAullife painted a verbal picture that had a listener thinking Bush was standing at resevoirs with a jug of arsenic laughing as poured it in.

The RNC needs someone to be a bigger bastard, who looks good on TV, talks to the common person, and will out sneak McAullife... for crying out loud, the DNC is already calling the recession the "Bush Recession." It should be the Clinton/Gore Recession or the Daschle/Gephart Recession.

I hope Racicot surprises us.

[MJY1288]

If I was Racicut! My first response Terry McAuliffe would be...

"Hey Terry...Why don't you wipe that smirk off your face and start telling the truth instead of your usual "DNC HANDBOOK" spin. Your slimy used car salesman smile reminds me of the "Fuller Brush" man that knocked at my door when I was a kid. Get a grip you clown"

[america-rules]

I think if Racicot was in the job now he would be on TV 3-5 times per week pushing for Bush's agenda and gettin the country to turn on congress. I can hear him now on judges, energy, economy, etc..

[deport]

From another article... which indicates he wants to continue earning outside the RNC job. I suspect it's regarding his employment with the DC law firm. I think he's indicated he's not interested in the senate race. A search on Racicot will hit some threads about him over the past few days.....

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.

[JoeMomma]

Racicot is an awesome choice for the RNC. I remember how he handled being Bush's spokesman during the Florida recount, re-recount, re-re-recount, etc ... Racicot is the best possible choice to lead the RNC, I think. He's a thoughtful but tough debater -- definitely no doormat (wich we could say the same for Trent Lott).

It'll be interesting but I think Racicot will be much more effective than Jim Gilmore. Gilmore was a good man, but he just seemed out of place as RNC chairman. Racicot vs. McAuliffe in a debate would be quite interesting.