State and Local Democrats don’t mind being hypocritical

Nashville, TN – With Tennesseans and Americans concerned about the economy, job security, borrowing and spending in Washington and government run healthcare, Democrats in Middle Tennessee are excited about only one issue, state government per diems. Specifically, Democrats don’t think Republicans should get per diems (funds that are distributed to legislative members for official travel). Democrats are excited about attacking Republican legislators on the amount of per diems they have received, while they turn a blind eye to Democrat members who are requesting the same funds.

“The hypocrisy of Democrat Party leaders is almost laughable. They seem to have a blind spot on the left and don’t notice that their own members take per diems as well,” said Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney.

So far in the first and second quarters of this year, State House members averaged around 83.5 days at the Capitol, most of these days were days during the legislative session. Some members from both parties have requested additional per diems by spending time doing additional work at the Capitol. According to state rules, whether it is constituent or committee work, members are entitled to be reimbursed for their time working for the public and away from their job at home.

“The Democrats are grasping at straws trying to find an issue to assault their political adversaries. They can’t defend their party’s tax and spend philosophy, so they lob these political assaults,” said Devaney.

Recently, House Speaker Kent Williams’ office sent a letter asking members to be mindful in their planning to try and help the House keep costs down. Democrats soon pounced and sent a scathing press release against one Middle Tennessee Republican while ignoring the fact that several of their fellow Middle Tennessee Democrats, including House Minority Leader Gary Odom, took per diems as well. More recent attacks have come from local Democrat parties which appear to be a coordinated attack on an issue designed to distract from the actual concerns of voters in Middle Tennessee, such as the economy and health care.

TNGOP Calls on Kyle, Herron, and McWherter to Condemn Comments

Nashville, TN – As Congressman John Tanner (D-Union City) continues to refuse to condemn the controversial comments of Madison County Democrat Party Chairman T. Robert Hill, West Tennessee gubernatorial candidates State Senator Jim Kyle (D-Memphis), State Senator Roy Herron (D-Dresden), and businessman Mike McWherter of Jackson are also noticeably silent.

“Mr. Hill’s unfortunate comments reflect the disconnect Democrats have with everyday Tennesseans on issues such as health care. John Tanner’s lack of leadership in condemning Hill is telling and what’s more interesting are the West Tennessee Democrats running for governor. Their silence on the issue is deafening,” said Chris Devaney, chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party.

Last week, Democrat Chairman Hill called a group of Young Republicans in Madison County “brownshirts” – a reference to Nazi Germany – because they dared to criticize the Obama led effort for government run health care and Congressman Tanner’s work on the health care issue.

“Folks in Tennessee are greatly concerned about the Democrats’ march to expand the size of the federal government. It is time the West Tennessee candidates for governor – Kyle, Herron, and McWherter ask Mr. Hill to apologize. His continued comments are not only insulting to the group he attacked, but to well meaning Tennesseans across the state,” said Devaney.

In today’s Jackson Sun, Mr. Hill continued to defend his comments and stood by his “brownshirts” statement.