On the other hand, no amount of negative Mike Littwin columns will wound Gardner among birther believers. That's the beauty of conspiracy theories: Anyone attacking them automatically reinforces the paranoia even if the only weapon used is the truth. So, from a political standpoint, Gardner might as well remain vague on this subject. The people who are appalled by his cynical behavior were never going to vote for him anyhow -- and members of the ever-growing lunatic fringe can recognize a friendly candidate when they see one.