Digging In

Despite criticism from the Republican National Committee and the GOP's presumptive presidential nominee, the North Carolina Republican Party is resolute in its plan to air a sensational 30-second ad that links Barack Obama to the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

The spot features footage, which cycled on the cable circuit weeks ago, of Obama's pastor cursing America. A narrator then says of Obama: "He's just too extreme for North Carolina."

"This is a legitimate question to be asked," said state party spokesman Brent Woodcox, who emphasized that the NC GOP has "a great relationship" with their national leadership. "We are not the only ones asking it."

Woodcox says that the party plans to air the ad Monday night at 6pm, but that the buy is "still being finalized." (That means that there's still time for the party to balk, rendering the ad a trial balloon or a stunt.)

He said that the urging of party leadership will be "taken into consideration" but that they're moving forward. "We plan to go ahead with this," he said.

The RNC was aware of the ad last night, but the group did not advise against airing the spot until this morning.

(NBC/NJ's CARRIE DANN)