[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.