Allen recruits Matalin

The WaPo's Chris Cillizza breaks the news that former Cheney advisor Mary Matalin is joining Virginia Sen. George Allen's re-election team. She is signing on as treasurer of his fundraising committee.

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 only 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.

With John McCain falling to pieces before our very eyes and pretty much every other GOPer with national name rec indicted or under investigation, Allen could jump out in front of the pack rather quickly with Matalin on his team. As Cillizza points out, Ed Gillespie is already on board. Why would these prominent GOPoliticos bother hooking up with Allen just to help him get re-elected to the senate? They wouldn't.

Sounds like Allen is building a solid presidential campaign apparatus from the ground up.