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I figured his spokesmen would keep hammering the Birther thing, but a full-blown ad replete with cameo by Orly Taitz? Quoth Ron Burgundy: “Boy, that escalated quickly. I mean, that really got out of hand fast.” My feelings about Birtherism are well known and, needless to say, this is an efficient way of marginalizing Hayworth with undecided centrists who might otherwise be weary of decades of maverickiness. (Geraghty was moved this morning to note Hayworth’s willingness to make chitchat with the John Birch Society.) But I hope McCain’s prepared to explain why he’s ready to go bareknuckle on Hayworth by...

Critics of Michael Steele's tenure as RNC chairman are motivated by racism, Steele suggested in an interview published today. Speaking to the Washingtonian Magazine (no online version), Steele wondered why his DNC counterpart doesn't get the same criticism he does. "I don’t see stories about the internal operations of the DNC that I see about this operation," Steele said. "Why? Is it because Michael Steele is the chairman, or is it because a black man is chairman?” The RNC has experienced significant staff turnover since Steele became chairman, especially in the communcations shop. That has prompted speculation about Steele's management...

PHOENIX – Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney joined Bush administration officials, including former Vice President Dick Cheney, in arguing today that President Obama’s approach to combating terrorism had left the country less safe. "It's the very kind of thinking that left America vulnerable to the attacks of September 11th," Romney told the National Rifle Association's annual gathering. “And the approval of left-wing law professors and editorial boards won’t be worth much if this country lets down its guard and suffers an attack." Even while declaring an end to past interrogation practices he calls “torture,” Obama has alienated many in his...

U.S. Sen. John McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential candidate, today announced his endorsement of state Sen. Jeff Denham for lieutenant governor of California. "He has a proven record of independence, integrity and fiscal responsibility as a state senator," McCain said in a release from Denham's office. "He also offers valuable life experiences as a successful businessman and veteran who has served his country admirably. "As a farmer, business owner and legislator, Jeff Denham has worked hard to create and save jobs in California. He is a committed reformer who has aggressively promoted innovative ideas to restructure and modernize state government...

This week’s endorsement of Florida Gov. Charlie Crist by senior Senate Republicans is being cheered by GOP senators as a move toward the middle. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn (Texas) endorsed Crist over former state House Speaker Marco Rubio, a protégé of former Gov. Jeb Bush and a more conservative candidate. The decision by McConnell and Cornyn was the first such choice since last month’s defection of Arlen Specter to the Senate’s Democratic conference. Moderate GOP senators like Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine used that opportunity to publicly warn the...

(snip) The latest matchup: Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele vs. Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor and a likely frontrunner for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. Steele cast doubt on Romney's conservative credentials Friday and said the Republican base rejected Romney because "it had issues with Mormonism" and was unsure of Romney's commitment to opposing to abortion rights. Romney's camp took issue with the suggestions that the most reliable Republican voters are intolerant and fired back Tuesday, with spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom saying, "Sometimes when you shoot from the hip, you miss the target." Sen. John McCain, Romney's former rival...