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FROM HOTAir: Update VII: I spoke with two executives at the College Republicans on the record about this story. Charlie Smith, the National Chair, and Ethan Eilon, the Executive Director, both say the photo is legitimate and that it came from Ashley Todd, the victim in this case. The attack began at 8:50 pm ET and Ashley called the police at 9:30 PM ET. Initially, she was robbed, ran away after the robbery, and the robber followed her to her car. At that point, he became enraged at the bumper sticker and began beating her and scratched the ‘B’ into her face. Ashley went to the hospital early this morning after initially refusing medical attention last night, and had an MRI and/or a CAT scan. Doctors believe her cheek will heal fully.

Eilon spoke with her personally today about the incident and confirmed the above with me. He first met Ashley in June, when she came to DC for training with the College Republicans. She works for them as a contract employee. She does not work for the McCain campaign. Both Eilon and Smith expressed revulsion over an attack on a young woman just getting involved in politics, but they consider this the act of a lone lunatic.

I’m not going to blame people for keeping a healthy skepticism on this case, but so far, the two media reports appear to check out.

These conspiracy theorists about this being self-inflicted make me want to puke. I thought this was a conservative board. Like Malkin says above, skepticism can be healthy, but give the girl a break. Let the story unfold.

I thought this was a conservative board. Like Malkin says above, skepticism can be healthy, but give the girl a break. Let the story unfold.

This is indeed a conservative board. That does not mean, however, that we just jump on the bandwagon and run with every story that fits our template. We put things under a microscope and discuss and watch and wait. I haven't run across any posts (and granted, I haven't read them ALL.) that violate a healthy scepticism. We are, most definitely, letting the story unfold.

Yup, I'm good with that. Giver her the benefit of the doubt for now. The medical report will be available soon enough. If she has a big lump on the back of her head that will corroborate her story. If not, it won't.

But the molotov coctail thrown at a McCain sign outside a private residence has already been confirmed so I don't hesitate to say that when thugs urger their supporters to " get in your neighbors faces" some folks do just that.