NASHVILLE, TN – Democrat House Leader Craig Fitzhugh (D-Ripley) indicated, as reported by The Tennessee Journal, that he would “steer clear of taking sides in this year’s presidential race.”

His announcement of supposed neutrality comes during the same week he served as a delegate at the Democratic National Convention, at which President Obama was unanimously chosen as the Party’s nominee.

“For Craig Fitzhugh to actively nominate Barack Obama as his party’s nominee and then turn around and say he’s remaining neutral is blatantly hypocritical,” said Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney.

“It is an insult to the intelligence of voters in his district if he believes he can get away from serving as an Obama delegate and then bear no responsibility for his decision to serve in that role.

“This is the lowest form of political pandering and Craig Fitzhugh owes voters in District 82 a clear explanation about his support for President Obama instead of his usual tactic of being on both sides of the issue at the exact same time,” concluded Devaney.

Fitzhugh is being challenged by Republican Johnny Edwards in District 82, which includes Lauderdale, Haywood and Crockett counties.