WASHINGTON - Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus released the following statement announcing the 2012 Ohio Victory Director, Mike Bir: "Ohio is poised to be the make or break state in November and I can't think of a better candidate than Mike Bir to move us forward to victory in Ohio this November," said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus. "The RNC is poised to run the most comprehensive voter outreach and turnout operation in Ohio history and Bir will help ensure we make more phone calls, knock on more doors, and make more volunteer voter contacts than ever before. In the wake of 3.5 years of President Obama's failed policies and broken promises, Ohioans are ready for a change in Washington and the RNC's Ohio Victory Program will ensure we send Mitt Romney to the White House in 2012." In addition to traditional on-the-ground voter turnout efforts, the RNC is also introducing the Social Victory Center in Ohio today, which will open new doors for engagement and play a large part in the Victory program. No other campaign or committee has developed the same technology to harness the power and reach of Facebook in this way; it is a new frontier in digital activism. Learn more and get the app here https://apps.facebook.com/social-victory  BACKGROUND: Mike Bir has served as the Ohio Republican Party Victory Director since December of 2010. In his time as OHGOP Victory Director he helped oversee the defeat of President Obama's signature piece of legislation, ObamaCare, on the ballot last November. Bir previously headed up the RNC's Ohio Victory Field Operations during the 2010 Republican sweep. ###

WASHINGTON - Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus and Co-Chairman Sharon Day released the following statement commemorating Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month: "What an incredible impact Asian-Pacific Americans have made on our country throughout America's history. The great traditions they brought from their native lands of hard work, innovation, and support for the family and community have greatly added to our American heritage," said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus. "Over the years, many Asian-Pacific Americans have been leaders in their respective professions as they pioneered advancements in technology, academia, the arts, public service and business. They have exemplified what our Founding Fathers envisioned as they embraced the opportunities available to all Americans. It's a pleasure to honor and recognize their many contributions as we look ahead to sharing many additional achievements in the years to come." "This month, let us celebrate the more than 17 million Asian Americans living in communities across the United States today," said Co-Chairman Sharon Day. "For generations, Asians and Pacific Islanders have come to the United States in search of the American Dream and a better life for their families. Sadly, in today's difficult economy, that dream is under threat. As we head toward a pivotal election in November, Republicans remain committed to ensuring that the opportunity for prosperity that drew millions to our shores remains a reality for generations to come." ###

WASHINGTON - Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus and Co-Chairman Sharon Day released the following statement commemorating Jewish American Heritage Month: "Generations of Jewish Americans have enriched our society with the customs and traditions of their culture and faith," said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus. "We commemorate their significant achievements in innovation and entrepreneurship, their successes in the arts and sciences, and their service in government and our communities. "Throughout history, the United States was a refuge for Jews enduring persecution in their homelands. This month, we also remember their suffering and perseverance as we rededicate ourselves to fighting the scourge of anti-Semitism that still exists in our world. And as we do so, standing with our ally Israel is critically important." "America's greatness is rooted in our diversity," said Co-Chairman Sharon Day. "This month is an opportunity to appreciate more fully Jewish Americans' role in weaving the great fabric of America. "Our daily lives are shaped by the contributions of Jewish Americans. They have strengthened and blessed our country in countless ways, and we are truly and forever grateful."   ###

WASHINGTON - Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus released the following statement announcing the 2012 Virginia Victory Director, Dave Rexrode: "Virginia is critical in the upcoming election, and Dave will play an important role in building our grassroots effort to ensure GOP victories in the state this November," said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus. "Virginians are tired of President Obama's failed policies and broken promises, and the Virginia Victory Program is a key part of our strategy to hold President Obama accountable for his record of failure and to elect a Republican president in November. In addition to Jeyben Castro, Virginia's Hispanic Outreach Director, I'm proud to announce Dave Rexrode will serve as Virginia's Victory Director. This team demonstrates the first step of the RNC's serious commitment to winning Virginia this November," he said. In addition to traditional on-the-ground voter turnout efforts, the RNC also introduced the Social Victory Center today, which will open new doors for engagement and play a large part in the Victory program. No other campaign or committee has developed the same technology to harness the power and reach of Facebook in this way; it is a new frontier in digital activism. Learn more and sign up here https://apps.facebook.com/social-victory   BACKGROUND: Dave Rexrode has served as Executive Director of the Republican Party of Virginia since January 1, 2010 and will be serving as both Executive Director and Victory Director in 2012. Prior to becoming ED, he was the Deputy Campaign Manager on the successful Bob McDonnell for Governor campaign. Before that campaign, he served as National Coalitions Director for McCain for President and the National Coalitions Director for the RNC. In 2004 he oversaw the coalition operation in Ohio, Michigan, and West Virginia as well as managed the successful Bush/Cheney faith based outreach program. He has also managed successful campaigns for US Congress, State Senate, and House of Delegates. ###

WASHINGTON - Today the Republican National Committee (RNC) launched the GOP Social Victory Center (SVC), a cutting edge online application that harnesses the power of Facebook to equip voters with the tools to be directly involved in the political process. Simply by signing in through their Facebook accounts, users can find ways to volunteer in their local areas, make calls into battleground states, access exclusive news and multimedia from the RNC, find and create local political events, and engage with activists across the country. The SVC can be accessed at https://apps.facebook.com/social-victory "With the Social Victory Center, we are revolutionizing the way activists and volunteers participate in Republican campaigns," said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus. "We're breaking down geographic borders and connecting users to a nationwide grassroots network and a wealth of political resources. "Digital technology is more important than ever in this election, which is why I am proud of what Republicans can offer voters with the Social Victory Center. With the SVC and our extensive on-the-ground efforts in battleground states, Republicans are fully equipped to fire Barack Obama and take back the White House," he said. "The SVC, which leverages the technology of Facebook and Eventbrite, will give Republicans a distinct advantage in this campaign," said RNC Political Director Rick Wiley. "The Social Victory Center opens the door to new volunteer opportunities and discussions to grassroots supporters who would otherwise not have the opportunity to participate. We are confident it will prove an important asset in voter contacts and Get Out the Vote efforts." "This is the new frontier in digital political activism and will open new doors to political engagement," said RNC Digital Strategy Director Tyler Brown. "It offers us the opportunity to better communicate with and listen to our grassroots supporters on a daily basis--especially young voters, who compose a larger share of Facebook's 161 million active American users."   ###

WASHINGTON - Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus released the following statement announcing new staff to Team Nevada: "Nevada is a critical state in the upcoming elections, and that is why the Republican Party is expanding our voter contact and volunteer programs across the state," said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus. "Voters in Nevada have suffered for three years in the Obama Economy and this team's efforts are a key part of our strategy to hold President Obama accountable for his record of failure and to elect a Republican president in November. In addition to Elsa Barnhill, Nevada's Hispanic Outreach Director, I'm proud to announce Kristin Vieira as Team Nevada Director and Darren Littell as Team Nevada Communications Director. The strength of this team demonstrates that the RNC will commit any and every resource necessary to win Nevada this November," he said. BACKGROUND: Kristin Vieira: Recently served as Deputy State Director for Nevada with Rick Perry's presidential campaign, Kristin also served as a Redistricting Assistant in 2011 with Fund for Nevada's Future. In 2010, Kristin served as Northern Field Director for Sue Lowden's campaign before becoming Nevada's Deputy Victory Director. Darren Littell: Recently served as Regional Press Secretary for the West at the Republican National Committee, and as Communications Director for Congressman Joe Heck (NV-3). In 2010, Darren served as Communications Director for Congressman Dave Reichert's successful reelection campaign. Elsa Barnhill: A native Nevadan, Elsa has worked in Senator Ensign's office for over five years serving as the Outreach Coordinator, and has worked on major campaigns throughout the Silver State.   ###

WASHINGTON - Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus released the following statement announcing new staff to the Colorado Victory team: "Colorado is a critical state in the upcoming elections, and that is why the Republican Party is expanding our voter contact and volunteer programs across the state," said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus. "Voters in Colorado have suffered for three years in the Obama Economy and the Victory program is a key part of our strategy to hold President Obama accountable for his record of failure and to elect a Republican president in November. In addition to Lizbeth Norris-Cohen, Colorado's Hispanic Outreach Director, I'm proud to announce Josh Daniels as Colorado's Victory Director and Ellie Wallace as Colorado's Victory Communications Director. This team demonstrates the first step of the RNC's serious commitment to winning Colorado this November," he said. BACKGROUND: Josh Daniels: In 2010, served as Field Director on Rick Scott's Gubernatorial Campaign and in 2009 as a Victory program staffer in Virginia. Josh has previously worked on Senator Scott Brown's campaign, various congressional campaigns and at the Republican National Committee. Ellie Wallace: Most recently served as Deputy Communications Director for Governor Phil Bryant's successful gubernatorial campaign in Mississippi. Earlier, Ellie spent three years in the Los Angeles branch of the Washington, DC based strategic communications firm, the Glover Park Group. Lizbeth Norris-Cohen: A seasoned professional of Spanish language media and a former broadcaster, she has worked on several campaigns across the state of Colorado.   ###

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) released the following statement on President Obama's decision to play politics with the one year anniversary of Osama bin Laden's death: "Shame on Barack Obama for diminishing the memory of September 11th and the killing of Osama bin Laden by turning it into a cheap political attack ad. This is the same President who once criticized Hillary Clinton for invoking bin Laden 'to score political points.' "This is the same President who said, after bin Laden was dead, that we shouldn't 'spike the ball' after the touchdown. And now Barack Obama is not only trying to score political points by invoking Osama bin Laden, he is doing a shameless end-zone dance to help himself get reelected. "No one disputes that the President deserves credit for ordering the raid, but to politicize it in this way is the height of hypocrisy. "The Obama campaign asks whether Mitt Romney would have made that decision. Of course they want to focus on this one tactical decision because the other decisions this President has made have harmed our national security. "He turned his back on the people of Iran when they rose up to end their tyrannical, terrorist-supporting, Holocaust-denying government, giving them no assistance as they were crushed in the streets. "He has repeatedly thrown our ally Israel under the bus and jeopardized our shared security interests. "He tried to bring Khaled Sheikh Muhammed, the mastermind of 9/11, and other Al-Qaeda terrorists into the middle of New York City to stand trial in a civilian court. "He disregarded the advice of his military commanders and pulled all of our troops out of Iraq, and Al-Qaeda is making a comeback there as a result. "He disregarded the advice of his military commanders again by telling our enemies that we are leaving Afghanistan and then putting our mission and our troops at risk by short-changing our commanders on the ground. "He watches passively while the Assad regime in Syria, Iran's closest ally, kills thousands of its own people in an unfair fight, and his response to this mass atrocity is to create an 'Atrocities Prevention Board.' "With a record like that on national security, it is no wonder why President Obama is shamelessly turning the one decision he got right into a pathetic political act of self-congratulation."   ###

Excerpts from Townhall   By: Reince Priebus April 27, 2012 "Today, President Obama will speak at a Women's Issues Conference organized by his campaign in Washington, DC. Hopefully he will take the time to apologize to the women in attendance. "Despite Democrats' talk of standing for women, the Obama economy has been especially unforgiving for women across the country. "Recently, RNC Co-Chair Sharon Day summed it up nicely: "'At kitchen tables and in the job market, it's clear that women are suffering. Gas, groceries, and healthcare are more expensive. Wives and mothers struggle to make ends meet and fear for their children's futures. Businesswomen wonder what regulations and taxes Obama will force on them next'... "Try as he might, President Obama cannot hide the facts. "There are fewer women working today than when President Obama took office. Since his inauguration, the unemployment rate for women has increased from 7 percent to 8.1 percent. The number of female employees has decreased by 683,000. "The job market is so bad, women are giving up looking for jobs altogether. The female labor force participation rate fell in March from 57.9 percent to 57.7 percent. The number of women not in the labor force increased in March from 52.8 million to 53.1 million. While male participation increased by 14,000, female participation fell by 177,000... "Republicans are committed to delivering that better America. The Democrats' agenda isn't working for women. Their vision has produced big government and limited opportunity. Our vision is for limited government and opportunity for all..." "Women deserve better than what President Obama has delivered. And they certainly deserve a president that is honest with them about the challenges they face." Click Here To Read The Full Op-Ed: http://bit.ly/JrcZDi   ###

WASHINGTON - The Republican National Committee (RNC) files a formal complaint with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Comptroller General Dodaro requesting an investigation into President Obama's frequent misuse of taxpayer dollars. View the full letter here. "Obama for America has been cheating the American taxpayer by using taxpayer dollars to fund their general election efforts," said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus "The president, who has held more campaign events in 3.5 years than any other president did in their full term, should refund the taxpayers for the cost of these trips through his campaign account Obama for America. "Given the massive debts he's racked up and the waste that's been exposed through GSA and Solyndra, this president has demonstrated he has no regard for hard earned taxpayer dollars. Given this pattern of behavior, we have requested an immediate review of this matter to protect the taxpayers who are being cheated by their government."   ###