Spin cycle: On the blog

State Republican chairman Ed Cox has slated the party's annual big-ticket fundraising dinner for Sept. 14 -- shortly before his term ends and Republicans vote on keeping him. Cox recently sent invites for the $1,000-per-plate gala at the Sheraton New York in Manhattan. Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour will be the keynote speaker.

Cox faced heat from some Republicans after the party won no statewide offices last year, despite gains in the State Legislature and Congress. Chautauqua County Executive Greg Edwards, the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor in 2010, has made it known he's considering challenging Cox. -- Yancey Roy