Rancor prompts resignations in Arizona

Three Republican Party district officials step down, citing increasing venom from conservative 'tea party' rivals.

By Kim Murphy,
Los Angeles Times
January 18, 2011

Reporting from Phoenix

Anthony Miller was a bit of a sensation when he was elected the Republican Party's district chairman in the comfortable suburbs of east Phoenix and Tempe. He was dedicated, conservative and the first African American ever to hold such a post in the state.

But things began to fall apart, he figured, when he worked last year as a field organizer for Sen. John McCain, facing a primary challenge from the conservative wing of the party.

At a campaign meeting in Kingman, a man formed his fingers into the shape of a gun and pointed at Anthony. Then in Lake Havasu, somebody spoke up as Miller walked into the room.

"This old guy says, 'There's Anthony. Get a rope.' I turned around and said, 'If you get a rope, get one for you and get one for me too,' " Miller recalled.

(More here.)