New GOP boss

WASHINGTON -- Former Montana Gov. Marc Racicot pledged aggressive efforts to raise money and attract minorities to the GOP after President Bush moved Wednesday to install the loyalist as head of the Republican National Committee.

Racicot said he will keep his job with a Washington law firm, making him a lobbyist with an open door to the White House.

He did not promise to step away from cases that could present a conflict of interest, but said he would disclose "occasions where you may intersect, either with a courtroom, or a commission, or an executive branch agency."