At the end of today's New York Times rundown on Elizabeth Dole's manifold failings as head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee we find this:

Her recruiting effort in the Michigan Republican Senate primary has put her at cross-purposes with Ken Mehlman, the Republican National Committee chairman. Mrs. Dole has actively pressed the candidacy of a white candidate, Michael Bouchard, who is in a primary against a black candidate, Keith Butler, to challenge Senator Debbie Stabenow.

“I think Ken might have choked a little bit on that one,” Mrs. Dole said with a soft laugh of her Michigan maneuverings.

It's pretty obvious that Mehlman and other senior GOPers are already maneuvering to insulate themselves from blame should Republicans get shellacked in the Senate races come November.