North Carolina GOP to McCain: Ad Will Air

John McCain, the titular head of the Republican Party, is having trouble getting North Carolina Republicans to toe the line. McCain told NBC's "Today" show that an ad featuring Jeremiah Wright's incendiary comments "is unacceptable."

North Carolina GOP Chair Linda Daves remains defiant. Daves says the ad will air:

Contrary to any media reports, the 'Extreme' ad will run as scheduled next week. There has never been any intention to pull the ad and it will air.

The 'Extreme' ad has garnered attention around the country. I want to thank the people across North Carolina and across the country who have shown overwhelming support for us. Our aim is to tell the truth and ask difficult questions. We will continue to do so. ...

Democrats in North Carolina are trying to inject race into this ad. This tactic, designed to further drive a wedge between the people of North Carolina, is despicable and wrong. This ad has absolutely nothing to do with race. It is completely factual and contains no information that has already received a public airing. Let me be perfectly clear: It is entirely inappropriate for voters to consider race when judging the quality of a candidate running for any office. If Senator Clinton had a pastor who made these same anti-American statements and the Democrat candidates for Governor endorsed her, we would be running the same ad.

The state party's plans may be moot since some TV stations refuse to run the ad.