Andy Barkett jumps from Facebook to RNC

Former Facebook Engineering Manager Andy Barkett is the new Chief Technical Officer of the Republican Party.

He replaces no one; the CTO spot is a brand new position for the party - and one that was needed after the Obama for America team made heavy investments in data-driven technology to win the 2012 Presidential election.  The hiring takes a major page out of the Obama playbook: In picking up Barkett, the GOP brings on a political outsider with a Silicon Valley-centric resume.

Having a voice at the table bringing experience from Google and Livescribe should be a fresh addition to those who can swap stories about eating cold pizza at campaign headquarters at odd hours going over canvassing results.