NASHVILLE, TN – Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney released the following statement after it was reported that State House Democrat Caucus Chairman Mike Turner suggested during a press conference that race is playing a role in the opposition to President Barack Obama’s policies:

“Rep. Turner’s comments are completely out-of-touch with what Tennesseans believe and they are a slap in the face to people who have real concerns about the consequences of Democrats’ government takeover of health care,” said Devaney. “To suggest that race is the motivation for Tennesseans’ skepticism of government-run health care is irresponsible and nothing more than an effort to deflect actually dealing with one of the most important issues facing our nation and state today. Rep. Turner’s comments are further proof that Democrats just don’t get it which is why their radical agenda will be rebuked this November.”

The Nashville City Paper reported on Rep. Turner’s comments which were made during a press conference earlier today:

“‘We’ve got a lot of bills on states’ rights here, state sovereignty and all that,’ he added. ‘We went through that fight once before. All of a sudden, we have a black man elected president and everybody wants to start acting like something’s wrong with our country. I didn’t agree with a lot of things George Bush did, but I wasn’t ready to secede from the union.’

“Asked to elaborate afterward, Turner said, ‘I think some of the people who are against Obama are just against Obama because he’s African-American.’”