RNC changes debate coordination as GOP campaigns meet about the debates
The Republican National Committee (RNC) sent an email to all the Republican presidential campaigns Sunday evening to inform them of a change in debate coordination, after disputes arose over everything from the format and timing to green room assignments.
The RNC announced that the RNC's chief operating officer, Sean Cairncross would be taking over the RNC's debate negotiations with the networks.
RNC Chief Strategist Sean Spicer had held the job and has now been demoted. RNC Chairman Reince Priebus made this move for two reasons: the first was to quiet the clamor from GOP presidential campaigns for a new RNC debate negotiator. Spicer had been running the whole process.
Second, naming Cairncross to take over is intended to keep other well-entrenched Republican lawyer-types who may have allegiances to other campaigns distant from the negotiations process.
RNC chief of staff Katie Walsh wrote to the campaigns to reassure them that the RNC's mission is to provide them with the "best possible platform" and added, "We simply cannot have the disastrous process that happened in 2012 or a repeat of last week," in reference to the debate hosted by CNBC. Last week's debate prompted a lot of complaints from the GOP campaigns.
Walsh said in the letter that while the RNC felt that debate details "have been handled well, I want you to know that at the RNC we have heard your concerns and take them very seriously."
She then went on to inform the campaigns of the naming of Cairncross for negotiations, while saying that she herself would be the lead contact for all of the campaigns.
Sunday evening, campaign staffers were meeting in Alexandria, Virginia to discuss possible changes to debate format and rules.
John Kasich's team volunteered during the meeting that Fox's handling of the debates was fine, and all the campaigns present agreed, according to Kasich Communications Director Chris Schrimpf. The problems began after that first debate. CNN hosted the second debate, and CNBC, the third.
A source familiar with the meeting told CBS News that the campaigns of Ben Carson, Lindsey Graham and Bobby Jindal were organizing it. The RNC was not invited.
CBS News' Sean Gallitz, Alan He and Steve Chaggaris contributed to this report