Resignation of Robin Smith from TN HRC

Most Tennesseans are familiar with TN Republican Party Chair Robin Smith who stood boldly behind a fear-mongering hit piece entitled "Anti-Semites for Obama" which sought to appeal to fear and bigotry, in asserting:

"The Tennessee Republican Party today joins a growing chorus of Americans concerned about the future of the nation of Israel, the only stable democracy in the Middle East, if Sen. Barack Hussein Obama is elected president of the United States."

The release, according to Knoxnews.com, "cites Obama's support from Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan and other controversial figures," and was so offensive that even John McCain repudiated it. Not one to be easily deterred, however, Smith said . . .that McCain's comments do not change the state party's stance and the state GOP will continue to use Obama's middle name. That's no different than saying "Hillary Rodham Clinton" or "Richard Milhouse Nixon," she said. "John McCain has to be elected. Robin Smith doesn't," she said. "We have a duty to inform the Republican base." She said Farrakhan is known for "hateful, anti-Jewish, anti-Israel statements" and when the Nation of Islam leader "essentially endorsed" Obama, "it called out for our statement."

Smith had the courage of her convictions - right up until the moment that Sen. Lamar Alexander contacted the TN GOP and apparently suggested that they had crossed the line. Smith immediately saw - but did not admit - that perhaps she had made an error, and the release was "clarified" as follows:

"This release originally referenced a photo of Sen. Obama and incorrectly termed it to be Muslim garb. It is, in fact, Somali tribal garb, hence, we have deleted the photo. Also, in order to diffuse attempts by Democrats and the Left to divert attention from the main point of this release - that Sen. Obama has surrounded himself with advisers and received endorsements from people who are anti-Semitic and anti-Israel - we have deleted the use of Barack Obamas middle name."

As of this date the release has been removed. But that's not the end of the story, because we've learned a little more about Robin Smith. Smith is also a member of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission. According to its website, the Commission is an independent state agency charged with preventing and eradicating discrimination in employment, public accommodations, and housing.

Considering Robin Smith's words and actions in this matter do not adhere to the spirit or the mission of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, we respectfully urge her immediate resignation from the Commission.