In brief: McCain says race is all about jobs

Tucson, Ariz. – Amid criticism that he’s too moderate, Sen. John McCain on Saturday said the Arizona GOP Senate primary should be about fixing the economy, not political ideology.

“My focus is on jobs and the economy, and jobs and jobs and jobs,” McCain said.

He spoke at a campaign rally with one of the Republican Party’s rising stars, Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown.

McCain is facing a primary challenge from the right in what is expected to be the toughest re-election campaign of his Senate career. Former Phoenix-area congressman and talk-radio host J.D. Hayworth announced in January that he would challenge McCain.

Hayworth says McCain, a four-term Senator, isn’t conservative enough for Arizona Republicans.

Historic forge destroyed in fire

Grove City, Pa. – A historic metal forge that made ashtrays for the ill-fated German airship the Hindenburg and did custom work for Walt Disney has been destroyed by a fire.

Saturday’s fire at the Wendell August Forge workshop and gift shop is believed to have started in the workshop, where lacquer was sprayed on bronze pieces such as awards and trophies.

The Wendell August Forge had been in business in Grove City, in the heart of scenic western Pennsylvania, since 1932. Its building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Wendell August, which has other locations in Exton, Pa., and Berlin, Ohio, produces heirloom-quality personalized metal pieces.

Duncan urged not to visit school

Montgomery, Ala. – Alabama’s Legislative Black Caucus on Saturday called on U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan to cancel a planned appearance at Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery.

State Rep. Alvin Holmes said the school and its principal publicly opposed the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Selma-Montgomery march in 1965. Holmes said it was “insulting” to King and civil rights protesters that President Barack Obama’s top education aide was scheduled to appear at the school Monday.

“If he doesn’t cancel, we’re going to picket,” Holmes told the Associated Press.

Sandra Abrevaya, a spokeswoman for Duncan, said the agency was not aware of the caucus’ request and had no immediate comment.

Duncan is scheduled to meet with teachers and students at the school and march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge to commemorate the 45th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday,” the violent clash between civil rights protesters and state troopers in Selma.