Notes from today's RNC candidate forum

From NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Despite differences in age, background and region, all six candidates vying to be the next chairman of the Republican National Committee agreed on almost everything at today's candidate forum here. They want lower taxes and less government. They want the party to do a better job of reaching out to minorities. They argue the GOP should pay more attention to the grassroots. They believe it needs to catch up to the Democrats when it comes to technology. They're waiting for Obama to overreach. And they responded -- every single one of them -- that Ronald Reagan is their favorite Republican president. (No one said Lincoln ). The major differences came in message and tone. Michael Steele , the former lieutenant governor of Maryland, stressed that the party has to become more competitive in areas outside the South, while South Carolina GOP chair Katon Dawson highlighted his party's wins in the Palmetto State. ( Ken Blackwell ... (link)