Bush taps Mehlman as RNC Head

[Drbio]

President Bush on Monday tapped the chairman of his re-election campaign, Ken Mehlman, to head the Republican Party.

Mehlman, a protege of chief White House strategist Karl Rove, is Bush's pick to replace party chairman Ed Gillespie who is returning to the private sector. The Republican National Committee formally selects the party chair early next year, and Bush's recommendation holds enormous sway.

"Ken has served the Republican Party and the president with honor and distinction," said White House press secretary Scott McClellan.

While Rove is considered the driving force behind Bush's political strategy, Mehlman is widely credited as the organizing genius who turn White House orders into action. From the campaign's headquarters in Arlington, Va., he oversaw an Amway-like political organization that recruited tens of thousands of volunteers, assigned them political tasks and held them accountable.

In the end, the Bush campaign's get-out-the-vote operation defeated the conglomerate of Democratic special interest groups working on behalf of Sen. John Kerry.

McClellan said Mehlman had "a clear vision for making our gains long lasting" and had "boundless energy."

[Rhylan]

[Drbio]

Good one Rhylan.....three cheers for Bud!