An interesting choice:

Former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele beat out South Carolina GOP chief Katon Dawson in the sixth round of voting at Fridays Republican National Committee meeting Friday, becoming the first African-American chairman of the party.

The two Republicans fought for the national party chairmanship Friday after Mike Duncan, former President George W. Bush's hand-picked national GOP chief, abandoned his re-election bid in the fact of dwindling support.

Duncan's departure ensured a fresh face at the beleaguered GOP's helm as Republicans seek to rebound from back-to-back defeats in national elections that gave Democrats control of Congress and the White House.

I have to admit I'm surprised. I thought Republicans would find the Deep Southern credentials of Katon Dawson, the Dixie-loving South Carolina chair, irresistible like catnip.

Well, there may be an upside: Conservatives, you would hope, will now at last retire the "Barack the Magic Negro" schtick.

Then again, they aren't the most self-aware bunch, are they?