February 10, 1999
Web posted at: 4:55 p.m. EDT (1655 GMT)

WASHINGTON (February 10) -- Looking ahead to the challenges of the 2000 election cycle, the Republican National Committee (RNC) announced a major reorganization Wednesday. The present political director is out and a bigger role that combines political affairs, governmental affairs and presidential relations is being created.

David Israelite, 30, is being named director of political and governmental affairs, the RNC announced. The position will add a new area of "presidential relations" to overseeing political and governmental affairs.

"We see the growth of the party at the state and local level," RNC Press Secretary Mike Collins told CNN. "That is the future of the party."

The bigger reason is to better position the committee for the 2000 presidential cycle. "The 2000 race is critical to us," Collins said. "This is the most important election the party has faced in decades at all levels, including, local, state, federal and presidential."

The former political director, Tony Hammond, resigned several days ago, RNC officials said. Since Jim Nicholson was just re-elected to another term as RNC chairman last month, it is normal for some staff changes to take place. RNC officials said that Hammond wanted to pursue other options.

Political observers, however, view the reorganization as a sign the RNC must try to become more of a force in the 2000 election cycle than the committee was in the 1998 cycle.

"Impeachment has obviously raised the stakes for the GOP and therefore, the committee and many Republican insiders feel the RNC needs to be seen as more active and more involved and in fact it does," political analyst Stuart Rothenberg said. "I think the RNC wants to be relevant, no matter who the party nominates in 2000 and reorganizing the committee is an attempt to accomplish that."

One former RNC official said the committee is concerned that it will not be a force in the 2000 election, once a presidential nominee is named. "The RNC could become irrelevant as soon as a nominee is named so they need to do things to try to position themselves," the Republican source said.

Israelite is considered somewhat of a mastermind of the 1998 re-election of Sen. Kit Bond (R-Missouri) and is regarded in the party as someone who knows how to reach out to new constituencies such as women, young voters and minorities, while still keeping the conservative base intact.

"What it says is that the party is looking to the best talent we have to help orchestrate a stunning victory in 2000," RNC Press Secretary Collins said. Still, Collins acknowledged that the party needs to do more to broaden its base. "We think that we have a better chance to pick up disaffected Reagan Democrats in 2000."

Said Rothenberg: "Israelite has emerged as a real heavyweight at the RNC, as the person to turn to right under Chairman Jim Nicholson."

The position of executive director at the RNC is open and about to be filled. RNC officials said there were a still a number of individuals being considered.

Wednesday, February 10, 1999

• Three GOP moderates will vote against conviction
• Transcript: Sen. Harkin criticizes impeachment case
• Poll: Most people want Clinton censured but not convicted
• Hillary Rodham Clinton weighs N.Y. Senate bid
• Major reorganization at Republican National Committee
• Gore hails improved student reading levels
• GOP plays down 10 percent tax cut
• Aides attend secret Senate sessions
• Impeachment saga by the numbers
• Hearing focuses on how to combat wasteful government spending
• Clinton's plan for saving Social Security criticized
• Rave reviews of 'Monica's Story' before it's out
• Censure idea said to be 'wilting'
• Clinton seeks to expand AmeriCorps
• Park service says no putting Reagan on Mount Rushmore

ARCHIVES

Search CNN/AllPolitics by           Enter keyword(s)       go    help