Steele Responds To Losing Member Of Press Shop

Republican National Committee communications director Trevor Francis is leaving the party's press shop after a yearlong stint working for chairman Mike Steele.

Steele's response: "Trevor took a hiatus from a very successful private sector career to give service to the Republican Party this year. Trevor's talents will be missed at the RNC. We have accomplished a great deal in the year he was here. He worked tirelessly, as did the whole team, on the victories in Virginia and his home state of New Jersey."

The Washington Post's Chris Cillizza first reported the departure and he suggests it could mean there's some "turmoil" at the party.

Late Update: Cillizza now reports that Alex Castellanos will sign on as Steele's new senior communications adviser, according to "a source familiar with the move."

Later Update: A Democratic strategist writes in to defend his brethren.

Calling Steele a spotlight-loving chairman who sometimes sticks his foot in his mouth, the strategist said, "I'd leave too."