The National Republican Senatorial Committee -- which formerly said it had nothing to do with the casting call for "hicky, Blue Collar" actors in a WVa attack ad -- admitted today that its vendor was behind the language. The committee fired the vendor and apologized to West Virginia voters.

From the WashPost:

That National Republican Senatorial Committee is copping to the casting call for "hicky blue collar" workers for an NRSC ad in West Virginia, admitting that its vendor was responsible for the language and terminating its relationship with her.

The NRSC sends over a statement:

"This morning, the NRSC learned that our vendor Jamestown Associates was responsible for the offensive language surrounding our independent expenditure ad in West Virginia. When originally confronted last week, they flatly denied having anything to do with the unacceptable language and we took them at their word . Upon learning these facts this morning, the NRSC immediately fired Jamestown Associates."

The NRSC had previously denied up and down that the committee or its vendor was responsible for the language, instead blaming it on a casting agent that had been contacted by the NRSC's vendor. And for my part, I wrote that until further evidence emerged to the contrary, it was unfair to pin this on them. But the NRSC is now admitting its previous statements were wrong:

"Because we did not know the truth, we have made incorrect statements over the last eight days, and we regret doing so. The NRSC unequivocally denounces the offensive language that Jamestown Associates used in producing this ad. We apologize to any West Virginia voter who may have been offended by this firm's actions, and we extend our apologies to Kathy Wickline and all those who were misled as a result of Jamestown Associates' actions. The NRSC will have no further dealings, now or ever, with Jamestown Associates, but they were our vendor and we take responsibility for this unfortunate matter."