RNC Slams CNN Over Hiring Executive With Democratic Ties

The Republican National Committee is slamming CNN Films for hiring an executive who worked on such documentaries as Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" and "Jimmy Carter Man from Plains."

The network said in a press release Monday that Courtney Sexton will join the division that is producing a documentary on former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, widely believed to be planning a second Democratic run for the presidency in 2016.

The move comes days after the RNC voted to block CNN and NBC from hosting GOP presidential primary debates because of their plans to air film specials on Clinton. The Republicans believe both film projects will be biased in support of Clinton's possible presidential bid.

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Sexton previously managed documentaries at Participant Media, including two about global warming and one about Carter's work as a former Democratic president since leaving office in 1980.

According to the CNN release, "Prior to joining Participant Media, Sexton worked for two years with filmmaker Davis Guggenheim — who directed an "An Inconvenient Truth" — on the HBO series Deadwood, among other projects."

The RNC responded swiftly to the news, telling Politico, "Any concerns the Clinton team had are all gone. This puts the 'p' in puff piece. What's next, Michael Moore directing?"

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus also responded directly to the CNN announcement, tweeting, "CNN Films new hire sets the stage for a liberal infomercial about Hillary Clinton."

CNN says it plans to air its documentary about Clinton in 2014.