Bush Picks Gilmore To Head RNC

AP 22dec00

AUSTIN, Texas - President-elect George W. Bush on Friday picked Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore as his choice to head to the Republican National Committee. Gilmore pledged to work to get more minorities in the GOP.

"He is a man who stands on principle and is able to make a principled case to people from all walks of life," Bush said.

As chairman, Gilmore's job will include fund raising for the party, building strategies and serve as a nationally visible spokesman.

Outgoing two-term national Chairman Jim Nicholson said the GOP had achieved the goals he set when he took over: put a Republican in the White House, give him a GOP majority in Congress - though it's a slim one - and strengthen the party's presence in state legislatures.

"And I'm proud to say, sir, mission accomplished," Nicholson told Bush.

Gilmore said he would follow Bush's lead in trying to get more Hispanics and blacks into the Republican Party.

Although Bush enjoyed some strong support from Hispanics while he was Texas governor, only one in 10 black voters chose Bush over Vice President Al Gore, the Democratic candidate.

"This is very diverse party, the Republican Party," Gilmore said. "But we can do more."