RNC Names New Official to Work on Debates

Faced with a possible revolt by its candidates after a disastrous debate on CNBC last week, the Republican National Committee has put a new person in charge of working with candidates and networks, Politico reports.

"I have asked Sean Cairncross, Chief Operating Officer of the RNC and former Chief Counsel to take the central role in the debate process, specifically as it pertains to working with Sean Spicer and negotiating with the networks," RNC Chief of Staff Katie Walsh said in an email to the campaigns about a half-hour before they began meeting Sunday night to discuss alternatives.

Spicer is the RNC's chief strategist and communications director and has been the point person in debate negotiations.

"Wednesday night was a debacle. The RNC’s No. 1 priority is to provide the best debate format for our candidates," Spicer told Politico. "Adding Sean in this role is how we can achieve that outcome. The candidates wanted to have another person in the room working on format and logistics. … He’s an experience election attorney who has relationships with a lot of these players.”

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