Washington (CNN) - The Republican National Committee will announce Monday that veteran political strategist Alex Castellanos will assume a senior communications role at the committee, an RNC official tells CNN.
Earlier in the day, RNC Chairman Michael Steele revealed that communications director Trevor Francis was leaving his post.
Castellanos will not be filling Francis' old position but, rather, will be acting as an adviser to the RNC.
Castellanos is a CNN contributor, but the network learned independently of his new role at the RNC.
"Now the RNC has a new focus and direction - the 2010 elections," Castellanos said when reached by telephone. "And I am happy to help."
In 2008, Castellanos was a key member of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's campaign team. He will work with the committee through the 2010 elections.
Updated: 8:16 p.m.
From CNN Politics
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In 2008, Castellanos was a key member of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's campaign team.
And how'd that go for you Alex?
This man see's things only one way. He is everything that is wrong with the RNC.
One more clown for the circus.
"In 2008, Castellanos was a key member of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's campaign team."
So uh, refresh my memory: How'd that turn out for you?
Ahh, Republicans, a bunch of losers and whiners. Never have they done anything productive nor patriotic. All they have is a bunch of racially motivated hate speeches.
great. a cuban to tell us how to get it right! what next? he's so mislead in his views it's silly.
duhhhh! what a goofball
This Guy thought Sarah Palin was viable.....how smart is he?
Trying to convince people that a steaming pile of pooh is actually a souffle can't be an easy job.... but at least he does not have to come up with the program – chairman limbaigh takes care of that part for the rnc these days.
He worked out pretty well for Mit Romney, he got beaten by a 160 year old man, or whatever old father time John McCain was.
Ahhhh....trot out "The Great Fabricator" Castellanos. Hopefully he has been paying attention to everything that the GOP has done, or is doing wrong, and tell them the REAL reasons why the RNC is in the position it's in, and convince them to drop the "Fear, Hatred, and Bigotry Tour 2009" stance.
But then, again, if he tells it like it is, the GOP will drop him faster than a hot rock.
GOP: Evolve or die...
I can't stand this loser, he has problems right.
Hopefully rebuilding the party of NO will keep him too busy to blather his babble on CNN.
Just think the republican is going to clog every throughfare with horses and buggies when it come what best for the American people. If this man could sturrip Mitt Rommie canidatcy to a winner what he can do for the whole party?
Chairman Steele must be insane. Castellanos was responsible for Jesse Helms' 1990 notoriously racist "White Hands" advertisement as well as "The Wolves" and several other fear-mongering ads for George W. Bush in 2004.
This man is to be the mouthpiece for a new, "big tent" Republicanism?
The more things change, the more they look the same.
I don't see Castellanos being able to appease the right wing radicals. He is just the opposite of the idealistic attack dogs the GOP usually have speaking for them.
Please bring more reality TV like drama t the party Mr. Castellanos!
I mean the "So you think you anybody can be VP" series staring that Palin girl....wow a laugh riot.
I'd like to see one called "Talking points" where you take Mitt Romney and Michael Steele and Shawn Hannity and you put them working in an unemployment office for a month.
The Republican party right now, its the shnizzle!
Its so in touch.....its outta touch!
GOP strategy is hate....... lies........ fear........ and division. Do they really need a strategist to spew their vile politics?
Vote for Sarah Palin 2012!!!
The brightest star of our party
Castellanos seems to have a brain i'm not sure he would fit in.
What? So Michael Tweedle-dee-dum isn't measuring up. Now they have to call in Tweedle-dee-dee.
I can resolve their problem in one post:
Stop being so mean
Stop lying
Stop being greedy
Stop putting yourselves above the people you serve
Stop hating people just because they don't look like you or practice your religion
And stop trying to hurt President Obama- the only real solution to George 7th Worst President Ever Bush' mess.
Why do all these politicians need "strategists". If the man running for "whatever office" truly has the country at heart...why do they need a sleazeball strategist? All they end up doing is creating a "strategy" to trash the other guy hard and first. America loses every time a party hires these sleazeballs.
Well of all the Republican Strategist I haven't called him a moron nearly as many times as the other ones
When you go on your tantrum about big government, please explain why you Republicans continue to ask the Government for tax cuts for the rich. If capitalism was so great, you shouldn't need or want any "stinking" government money. And for those who keep saying that they want the government out of their life, shouldn't have any problem with the Government taking back tax deductions for mortgages, for employers who hire employees and other deductions that we receive at the end of the year. When we really step back and look, we will be surprised at how dependent we are on government credits and deductions.
Bring out the clowns.
Mr. Castellanos is a horses rear end. Him and RNC will find out in 2010 that the American people will pick the candidates not them. They have no idea how we feel about what is happening in our Country but you can betcha we will show them soon. Mitt Romney is not the candidate we will choose.
Michael Steele could do us all a big favor and try to focus on message and not go off into the weeds at every opportunity or hit every piece of bait the lamestream media offers to him.
"The RNC has a new focus and direction" ?- DREAM ON
what???? Are you running for President????
Don't 'cause I have already decided long back to vote Palin in 2012
The GOP's greatest strength lies in the miserable leadership,failing policies and certain tax increases coming for all Americans. Obozo and his right-wing liberal zealots will be their own biggest enemy! It's only a matter of time folks. The silent majority and independants are waking up and their distain toward Tax and Spend liberal ideology, will definitely will be heard!
Wow, Alex is a real "get" for the RNC. It will take all of his many strengths, of course, to corral Steele's mouth, but Alex is one fine gentleman, scholar, and spokesperson.
Take THAT, Dems!
Lou Dobbs for President ! And hopefully he will appoint Sarah Palin as AG to clean up the crap left behine by Obama, CNN and Holder.
Unfortunately, the RNC alienated millions of their members when GWB relentlessly pursued amnesty for the millions of illegal aliens he permitted to invade our country and the final straw was the nomination of John McCain as the candidate in the last election.
I have great respect for Michael Steele; however, as it is with so many others, I refuse to support the RNC and opt, instead, to support candidates on an individual basis. The days of following a Party like sheep being led to the slaughter are over. The mantra of former members is, "Principles over Party."
"Now the RNC has a new focus and direction- the 2010 elections"....................WHAT?????Thats not a new focus and direction you idiot!!!! Winning elections is the ONLY thing that the Republican Party is EVER focused on!!! I really don't think I've ever heard such a moronic statement like that before!!!!!!!!What a moron this guy is!.....Actually............, He'd be a good fit for the RNC, now that I've had a chance to think about it!
This is a great choice by the GOP. I have watched him communicate the real platform of the Party of Lincoln for many years. Watch out Democrats (Party of the wealthy liberal elite)!
WOW – now CNN has an insider.
"Now the RNC has a new focus and direction – the 2010 elections."
Well, you certainly wouldn't want it to be anything like "helping the American people," or "providing workable solutions for the problems in this country," or "acting in a bipartisan manner to compromise on important legislation."
Dicks.
try CPR, not another strategist
The GOP spends far more time trying to get elected than developing good ideas for America. Who will they Swift Boat next?
Good! The RNC and GOP also need a blood transfusion – namely NEW BLOOD!
Lou Dobbs would be a good candidate,,,,IF he ran on the independent ticket,,,Americans are sick of the actions of BOTH the other parties.NEITHER one represents the people, they serve the mighty lobby dollar.
Michael Steele is on his way out the door.
Michael Steele, token black, check.
Alex Castellanos, token hispanic, check.
Okay Republicans, we're diverse now! Lets do this thing!
The Party of NO needs all of the help that they can get right now! Their tactics are not working.
UGHHH what is wrong with Latinos joining the RNC – just wrong in so many ways. Lap dogs!!
Hilarious. He was a hack commentator at CNN and now he will play a hack role in the GOP. I guess this is the reward. Good luck to them.
The slime machine gears up by hiring the "father of the attack ad." Even if Republicans win in the next election cycle, they will be tearing the country apart in order to do it. I can't think of anything they've done over the last 30 years that benefits anyone but the wealthy.
You need more moderated than this gentlemen .
Alex comes off as a sensible guy in his news commentary. I don't see how he's going to last 2 weeks in the current GOP circus atmosphere.
Alex Castellanos is like watching paint dry and hard to find credibility.
Is that why you hired him, so you could prove your republicanism.
"Castellanos is a CNN contributor" this should immediately change to "Castellanos was a CNN contributor."
Sorry to post off topic but has the RNC lost it's collective bloody mind?Where to they get off telling thier members they HAVE to have thies views?sorry but you have lost any and all respect as a political party in this country and I really have to believe the Republican party has been takin over.Lincon and Reagan are rolling over in thier graves this night.
Alex Castellanos is a good man and will help to bring back the Republican party from their current hard line position.