Mary Matalin Joins Team Allen

Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) has signed Mary Matalin to serve as treasurer of a committee designed to raise money for his 2006 reelection race and Virginia's Republican Party.

Allen lands serious talent with the addition of Mary Matalin to his political inner circle. (Reuters)

Matalin, who previously served as counselor to Vice President Cheney, will oversee the fundraising for the Allen Victory Committee. Funds raised for the state GOP will go to get-out-the-vote efforts, according to Allen chief of staff Dick Wadhams.

"Senator Allen is very pleased that a Virginia leader of such prominence would agree to be treasurer of this important committee," said Wadhams.

While Matalin's high-profile among Republicans is sure to aid Allen's reelection fundraising, her real importance is properly understood in a 2008 context.

Allen has made little secret of his interest in a 2008 presidential bid and is sure to get a boost among party insiders and activists by landing the well-regarded Matalin. Earlier this year, Allen brought on former Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie to serve as chairman of his Good Government political action committee.

Matalin and Gillespie join Wadhams, pollster John McLauglin, and strategist Chris LaCivita in Allen's political inner circle. That group also includes National Association of Manufacturers senior vice president Jay Timmons and lobbyist Frank Donatelli.

Read The Fix's Insider Interview with Allen (Feb. 27, 2006)

By Chris Cillizza  |  April 6, 2006; 5:13 PM ET
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