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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 5, 2001

President Announces Gov Racicot as New RNC Chair
Remarks by the President Announcing New Republican Party Chairman Marc Racicot
The Oval Office

1:10 P.M. EST

THE  PRESIDENT:   I  had the honor of, first, thanking Jim Gilmore for his service to the Republican Party.  I asked Jim to take on an assignment. He did it and he did it well.  And for that, I'm grateful.  We talked about a  week  ago, and he said he wanted to spend more time with his family, and he  wanted to prepare for his transition out of public service, as Governor of  Virginia.  The people of the Commonwealth of Virginia know what I know, that  he's  an honorable public servant, who served our state and our Party well.

And to take Jim's place, I've asked my friend Marc Racicot, the former Governor  of  Montana, to become the Chairman of the RNC.  He's agreed, for which  I'm  grateful.   Marc has got a history of success.  He knows how to build  grassroots organizations.  He's going to reach out to members of the labor  unions and the minorities, just like Jim Gilmore did, to continue to take  our  positive,  optimistic  message to people that -- in all kinds of neighborhoods around the country.

He  has  got a fine history of winning races, and he'll translate that into  practice  come  next fall, in the 2002 races.  And I'm really, really pleased Marc has agreed to take on this assignment.

I  also  want  to  welcome  Ann  Wagner here, the Vice Chairman of the Party, to the Oval Office.

I  wish  you all the best, Marc.  Thanks for taking on the job.  And I look forward to working with you.

Q    You haven't changed your mind?

THE PRESIDENT:  I'll talk to you later.

END                    1:12 P.M. EST