RNC

Priebus's New Team Includes Ed Gillespie, Henry Barbour

Eric Kleefeld | January 19, 2011, 2:14PM

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus

Newly elected Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus officially announced today the line-up for his transition team, with a clear message that the RNC wants to put the controversies of the Michael Steele years behind them -- or, in the press release's words, "implementing the plan to restore faith in Republican donors and communicate with the American public."

Notably on the team are Ed Gillespie, a former RNC chairman during President George W. Bush's first term, and Henry Barbour, an RNC member from Mississippi -- and a nephew of Gov. Haley Barbour, who for his part is also a potential presidential candidate and a former RNC chairman.

"When I ran for Chairman of the RNC, I promised to make changes and begin the outreach process with key Republican donors," Priebus said in the press release. "Today, I am honored to announce the team that will help ensure Republicans have a top-notch ground game in the 2012 election cycle. Together, we will build on our success in 2010 and take back the White House and the United States Senate."

2010 elections

New DNC Ad Targets Karl Rove's Election Spending (VIDEO)

Christina Bellantoni | October 10, 2010, 9:24AM

The Democratic National Committee will go up on television with a new ad targeting Karl Rove and Ed Gillespie for their political activity during the midterm elections through groups which don't need to disclose their donors.

TPM obtained a copy of the ad, which hits the GOP on a point the Democrats have been hammering of late -- corporations getting involved in elections thanks to the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision.

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DE-SEN

Steele, Gillespie Standing By O'Donnell's Claims About Classified Info On China Plot (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 6, 2010, 2:05PM

Christine O'Donnell

Delaware Republican Senate nominee Christine O'Donnell has put leading Republicans in a tough (and funny) spot. In response to her 2006 claim that she had seen classified information about a secret Chinese plot to take over the United States, the current Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele and former RNC chair Ed Gillespie are saying that hey, maybe she's right.

Back when she first ran for Senate in 2006, losing the Republican primary, O'Donnell claimed during a debate that China had a "carefully thought out and strategic plan to take over America," and criticized one of her GOP opponents for wanting the United States to pursue cooperation with the country. "There's much I want to say. I wish I wasn't privy to some of the classified information that I am privy to."

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Christine O'Donnell: Anti-Masturbation Crusader. Witchcraft Dabbler. Republican Senate Nominee.]

Appearing last night on MSNBC's The Last Word With Lawrence O'Donnell, Steele was grilled by Lawrence O'Donnell (no relation) about this matter. "Michael, you know she`s lying about the classified information, right? I mean, reassure the country," said Lawrence O'Donnell.

"Do you know -- do you know that, Lawrence?" Steele replied. When Lawrence O'Donnell stated that he was certain that Christine O'Donnell was lying, Steele answered back: "Produce your evidence and invite me back on the program and talk about it."

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Sunday Shows

The Sunday Show Line-Ups

Eric Kleefeld | October 1, 2010, 5:37PM

KY Sen. candidates Rand Paul (R) and Jack Conway (D)

Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:

• ABC, This Week: A town hall on Islam in America, featuring Franklin Graham, Daisy Khan, and others.

• CBS, Face The Nation: Gov. Ed Rendell (D-PA), Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT).

• CNN, State Of The Union: Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), former Gore presidential campaign manager Donna Brazile, former George W. Bush aide Ed Gillespie, Pakistan ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani.

• Fox News Sunday: Kentucky Senate candidates Rand Paul (R) and Jack Conway (D).

• NBC, Meet The Press: Will not air, due to NBC's coverage of the Ryder Cup.

American Crossroads

Rove-Backed Outside Groups Raised $14.5 Million In Last 30 Days

Eric Lach | September 20, 2010, 1:09PM

Karl Rove

American Crossroads and Crossroads GPS, outside groups backed by GOP heavy-hitters Karl Rove and Ed Gillespie, raised $14.5 million in the 30-day period ending Sunday, bringing their fundraising total this year to $32 million, according to the Associated Press.

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American Crossroads

Rove-Backed Group Drops Four New Senate Race Ads (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | September 2, 2010, 3:32PM

American Crossroads, the conservative group backed by Karl Rove and former Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie, has a whole set of new ads in four key Senate races.

First up is an ad in Nevada, against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). This spot continues the theme from American Crossroads's previous ad, complaining about stimulus spending going to help other states.

"Really, Harry," the announcer says. "How about some help for Nevada?"

The TPM Poll Average of the Nevada Senate race puts Reid ahead of Republican Sharron Angle by 46.6%-43.7%.

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American Crossroads

Fundraising Group Led By GOP All-Stars Raises Big Money In June

Eric Lach | July 1, 2010, 10:56AM

Karl Rove

Turns out that American Crossroads, the group backed by Karl Rove and Ed Gillespie, among others, to raise money for Republican candidates, is pulling in the dough after all: The group says it raised $8.5 million in June, according to Politico.

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Ed Gillespie

Ed Gillespie Joins McDonnell Transition Team In VA

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 13, 2009, 5:25PM

Fmr. White House Advisor Ed Gillespie

Former George W. Bush adviser Ed Gillespie has found a new Republican executive to guide behind the scenes -- Virginia's Governor-elect, Bob McDonnell.

Gillespie was McDonnell's campaign chair during the campaign, which ended in a McDonnell landslide on Nov. 3. He's now signed on to the McDonnell transition team as a "Senior Advisor."

Others on the list announced today by McDonnell's transition team include former GOP Representatives Tom Davis and Thelma Drake. Both left Virginia's congressional delegation in 2008. Current House Minority Whip Eric Cantor's wife, Diana, is also on the list. She is a former investment banker at Goldman Sachs and the founder of Virginia's independently-run College Savings Plan.