    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [December 5, 2001]
    [Page 1485]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With Republican National Committee Chairman
    Marc Racicot
    December 5, 2001

        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.

    Note: The President spoke at 1:10 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. James S. Gilmore III of
    Virginia, former chairman, Republican National Committee. A tape was not
    available for verification of the content of these remarks.