Another day, another change in ABC’s political unit. ABC has promoted Rick Klein to the role of political director. Klein joined ABC in 2007 from the Boston Globe and was named Washington editor of “ABC World News” in 2010.

“Rick was a key member of the editorial team that produced two of the most-watched debates of the Republican primaries,” wrote ABC News president Ben Sherwood in a memo to staff this morning. “And when Martha Raddatz was picked to moderate the Vice Presidential debate, Rick enthusiastically took on a leading part in debate prep as a very convincing Paul Ryan. In fact, in the mock debates, he captured virtually every rhetorical point and personal mannerism — except for gulping water.”

The Klein announcement follows the arrival of Susan Saulny and Jeff Zeleny from the New York Times earlier this week.

We stopped by the ABC News workspace this afternoon at the Republican National Convention as editors and producers worked on today’s online coverage as well as tonight’s “World News with Diane Sawyer,” the ABCNews.com primetime livestream and the network’s 10pm special which will include Mitt Romney‘s acceptance of the GOP presidential nomination. Rick Klein, who is ABC’s senior Washington editor, sums up what a day is like for network newsers covering the conventions.

ABC News’s partnership with Yahoo! has resulted in several new web shows launching this week.

Two of the shows are extensions of long-running blogs from George Stephanopoulos and Jake Tapper. “George’s Bottom Line” was the first of the new show to debut today (after the jump). And tomorrow, look for “Political Punch With Jake Tapper,” ABC’s Senior White White Correspondent.

The shows, branded as the “Power Players, will be a mix news, opinion and political insider goodness, each running about two minutes. Tapper tells TVNewser his goal is “to bring the audience behind the White House curtain to get an insider look at what it’s really like off-stage and away from the official camera view — both of the White House and the White House press corps,” adding, “We also want to have some fun with it.”

Another new show called “Spinners and Winners with Jonathan Karl” is hosted by ABC’s senior political correspondent who covers Capitol Hill and the 2012 race for the White House.

“Politically Foul With John Berman” is hosted by the sports/politics junkie Berman who “will look at campaign news through the eyes of the ultimate referee, calling fouls and giving penalties.”

ABCNews.com’s long running “Top Line”, which was daily until a few months ago, returns to a once-a-week schedule hosted by ABC News Political Director Amy Walter, ABC News Washington Editor Rick Klein, and Yahoo! News Washington Bureau Chief David Chalian.

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In addition to the departure of senior producer Mimi Gurbst, which has been widely reported this week, “World News” EP Jon Banner is making some other moves.

TVNewser has learned, Rick Klein will join the show as Senior Washington Editor. Klein, who authors “The Note” on ABCNews.com and co-hosts the daily webcast “Topline” will also appear regularly on “World News Weekend.”

Also announced, Tom Johnson will become Senior Broadcast Producer of the show. Johnson, has been with the broadcast since it was anchored by Peter Jennings.

More changes in a note from Banner, after the jump…

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Today on the mediabistro.com Morning Media Menu podcast we talked about new Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor with ABC News senior political reporter Rick Klein.

“I’m struck in the first 24 hours the differences that seem to be emerging on the Republican side,” he said.

There seems to be a focus on two key comments Sotomayor has made, one on video about the role of the appellate court, and the other in writing about life experience. “The fact that one is on video will answer which one we’ll see more,” he says. “I think both of them are going to be in wide circulation. They are, for a lot of folks, killers and absolute game-changers. There is, I think, compelling and interesting explanations behind each of those pieces of information.”

Also discussed: Klein’s regular Fox News appearances, the New York Times’ new social media editor (Klein is on Twitter as well) and the success of a personalized magazine.

You can listen to all the past podcasts at BlogTalkRadio.com/mediabistro and call in at 646-929-0321.

Click here to receive mediabistro.com’s Daily Newsfeed via email.

Well, as Tyler Hansborough fulfilled his destiny and hoisted the NCAA Championship trophy last night, ABC News’ Rick Klein was fulfilling his destiny as winner of the TVNewser Bracket Challenge ’09.

The inaugural champion edged out championship game surges from CBS’ Jeff Glor (finishing 2nd) and TVNewser editor Chris Ariens (tied for 3rd), while CNN correspondent Joe Johns‘ (3rd) hopes of winning it all were dashed as Michigan St. fell to UNC.

Thanks to all who participated, and enjoy your reign on top, Rick.

> Update: Klein tweets the victory was “among my prouder accomplishments.”

The TVNewser Bracket Challenge ’09 was a topic on yesterday’s “Top Line” on ABC News Now, as Rick Klein began some trash talk at the end of an interview with John Berman (Klein’s currently in the lead). Berman also revealed his overall goal — beat CNN’s Wolf Blitzer. The conversation begins with approximately 2:15 left:

There are just two possible winners of the TVNewser Bracket Challenge ’09: ABC’s Rick Klein and CNN’s Joe Johns. Klein has the five-point lead, but only has UNC in the finals. Johns has Michigan St. winning it all — if that happens, he wins. If the Spartans can win just one game, and face Villanova in the finals, Johns and Klein tie.

Just three brackets (Johns, CBS’ Jeff Glor and TVNewser editor Chris Ariens) still have their champ pick alive in the Final Four.

ABC’s Rick Klein‘s bracket remains in first place after the Sweet 16 in the TVNewser Bracket Challenge ’09, while some people’s choice for champs have been ousted.

Klein and CBS’ Jeff Glor each have three of their Final Four teams still alive, while the current 2nd and 3rd place brackets (Steve Krakauer and MSNBC’s Willie Geist) have their top team eliminated. Look out for ABC’s John Berman — although he’s back in the pack, he’s got all four Final Four teams still alive.

Also, Klein left some trash talk this week on the group message board: “And I thought all those TVs in the Situation Room would give Blitzer an advantage,” he wrote.

With the Sweet 16 set in the NCAA tournament, ABC’s Rick Klein has surged into the lead in the TVNewser Bracket Challenge ’09.

Klein has one of the four brackets (along with MSNBC’s Willie Geist, CBS’ Jeff Glor and TVN editor Chris Ariens) with all Elite Eight teams still intact. The leader after Day 1, CNN’s Joe Johns, fell back into the pack, and his pick of Michigan in the Final Four will hurt his chances at victory.

And although he’s currently sitting in last place, ABC’s John Berman writes on the league’s message board: “I might be last…but I am leading in the demo.”