RNC Shakes Up Staff to Calm GOP Campaigns’ Growing Frustrations Over Debates 

“Last week was a debacle and we’re adding Sean, an experienced federal election attorney, to this team because of what happened. He has significant political relationships and will be a huge asset as we seek the best possible format for the candidates. He is going to take the leading role for the debates moving forward.”

— Sean Spicer, the RNC’s chief strategist and spokesman

Priebus has elevated Sean Cairncross, the chief operating officer of the RNC and its former chief counsel, to be the GOP’s new lead debate negotiator and organizer.

[Read the full text here, at The Washington Post]

The move effectively gives the debate responsibilities currently held by Sean Spicer, the RNC’s chief strategist and spokesman, to Cairncross. Spicer, a confidant of Priebus, will remain in his role but will work in a supplementary position when it comes to arranging the debates.

Priebus’s decision, which was detailed in an e-mail that the RNC sent to campaigns Sunday before a private summit of aides to 2016 candidates, was shared by a Republican presidential campaign aide who spoke on the condition of anonymity to reveal the document. That gathering was held at a hotel in the Washington suburbs and attended by advisers to several campaigns.

When reached Sunday by phone, Spicer confirmed the e-mail and acknowledged that his job has been changed. He said he would hand over debate duties to his colleague and continue to support GOP campaigns as they attempt to broker changes with television network hosts.

“Last week was a debacle and we’re adding Sean, an experienced federal election attorney, to this team because of what happened…(read more)

Source: The Washington Post

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