Beware of Republicans in tight races

George Allen's tragicomic 'Macaca' bit from a few weeks ago appears to have cost him in the polls, with his comfy double digit lead evaporating since the event. But with the GOP getting more and more anxious about the elections, we're guaranteed to see plenty more race-baiting in the coming weeks.

Republican Sen. Conrad Burns, whose recent comments have stirred controversy, says the United States is up against a faceless enemy of terrorists who "drive taxi cabs in the daytime and kill at night."

During a fundraiser Wednesday with first lady Laura Bush, the three-term Montana senator talked about terrorism, tax cuts and the money he has brought to his state. Burns is one of the more vulnerable Senate incumbents, facing a tough challenge from Democrat Jon Tester.

He has drawn criticism in recent weeks for calling his house painter a "nice little Guatemalan man" during a June speech. Burns, whose re-election campaign is pressing for tighter immigration controls, also suggested that the man might be an illegal immigrant. The campaign later said the worker is legal.