plans to modernize the RNC headquarters and redefine its mission in the hopes of

making it the arbiter of partisan identity. Prior to 1944, the RNC did not employ a

full-time staff and only hired professional publicity and field workers for the

presidential election period. Organizing hastily every four years on the national level

and relying on local organizations to do most of the work reduced operational

efficiency and left the party essentially without a public face in the period between

campaigns. Brownell conducted efficiency surveys during the early part of his

chairmanship and the results showed that a more reliable, fixed organization would

help the GOP to promote its message and attract voters. His continued leadership

meant the Albany group could dictate that message on their own terms without any

interference from Capitol Hill.37

 At Indianapolis, Brownell called for the establishment of a full-time

professional staff to operate RNC headquarters, including an expanded publicity and

campaign departments, as well as a permanent research division to give the party a

unified and constant voice in the national media. Brownell assured the Old Guard that

the new staff would cooperate closely with Republican senators, congressmen,

governors, and state party chairs, and specifically called for the RNC to be more

involved in creating the national platform. He also pledged an active and

comprehensive two-year campaign leading to the Congressional elections of 1946.

The RNC endorsed Brownell's plan unanimously and, aside from the rumblings of

Kelland and Gabrielson, gave him free reign to implement his changes. Dewey, no

doubt advised of Brownell's plans, sent a telegram of congratulations to the





37 Hugh A Bone, Party Committees and National Politics (Seattle, University of Washington Press,
1958), 39.