One week after being caught, Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester has yet to set the record straight or much less apologize for making false accusations about Congressman Stephen Fincher (TN-08). In a TNDP press release last Thursday, Forrester claimed that Fincher broke a campaign promise not to accept his taxpayer-funded healthcare plan, when in fact, Fincher has refused his government healthcare option.Despite his mistake being pointed out, as of midday Friday, the original press release remains on the Tennessee Democratic Party website and no public retraction or apology has been sent. “Last week, we called on Mr. Forrester to apologize to Congressman Fincher for calling him the ‘worst kind of hypocrite’ despite the fact that Congressman Fincher did keep his campaign promise,” said Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney. “We understand that it would be very humiliating for Mr. Forrester to apologize for his press release, but we hope that he would at least have a shred of decency to press the ‘delete’ button on his character assassination of Congressman Fincher,” said Devaney.

Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester sent out a press release late Thursday attacking Republican Congressman Stephen Fincher (TN-08). Forrester claims that Fincher broke a campaign promise not to accept his taxpayer-funded healthcare plan, when in fact, Fincher has NOT. Forrester went as far as to call Fincher the "worst kind of hypocrite." "Never mind the facts, Chairman Forrester seems to be chomping at the bit to attack Republicans for anything, regardless of the attack's accuracy. So much for the civility he and President Obama seem to blather so much about," said Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney. "The bottom line is that Congressman Fincher did keep his promise, but Chip apparently didn't get the memo. We hope that Chairman Forrester, or probably his press secretary, admits his mistake, apologizes to Congressman Fincher for calling him a liar, and does a better job of getting the facts before demonizing another man", said Devaney. Forrester ended his false press release by stating, "The people of the 8th Congressional District deserve better than a public official willing to blatantly lie in order get their vote." We absolutely agree, Chip!

“During a time when there are widespread calls to tone down the political rhetoric, it is unbelievable that Congressman Cohen would resort to such reckless rhetoric,” said Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney. “Whether for or against the repeal of the new healthcare law, we should be able to have a healthy debate on this issue, and we call on Congressman Cohen to apologize for his remarks,” said Devaney.

Last night, Ninth district Democratic Congressman Steve Cohen made outrageous comments on the House floor comparing Republican opposition to Obama's health care policies to Nazi atrocities such as the Holocaust. Cohen stated that Republican opinions of the bill are "just like (Josef) Goebbels." Goebbels was the chief Nazi propagandist for Hitler and was complicit in the death of millions of people. Cohen went on to say that "The Germans said enough about the Jews and the people believed it and you had the Holocaust.” When questioned today by TPM, Cohen defended his remarks stating that he "meant what he said". Lang Wiseman, Chairman of the Republican Party of Shelby County, responded to Cohen's attacks with a demand for an apology from the Congressman. "I’m not sure which is worse – making the remarks or defending them even after having had a chance to pause and reflect. Comparing Republicans to Nazi criminals is outlandish and offensive, and he should certainly apologize." Wiseman said. Cohen's remarks were not even made in the context of a private conversation, or in a speech to his supporters; but instead these statements were made on national television on the floor of the United States House of Representatives, in advance of an important vote. His comments came only days after liberal groups, including supporters of Cohen, complained about a lack of "civility" in political discourse. Wiseman added "How does comparing your opponents to Nazis raise the level and tone of civil discourse?"

While you and I have a respectful difference of opinion on the role the federal government should play in Americans’ lives, I think that you would agree these comments about race have no place in a healthy political debate. Rep. Turner’s remarks are uninformed and misguided. It is my hope that you will immediately ask Rep. Turner to apologize for his personal attacks on the vast number of Tennesseans who do not agree with his Democratic Party’s agenda for our country.

Asked his view on the Health Freedom Act, which orders Attorney General Bob Cooper to sue to overturn any federal mandate to buy insurance, Turner said: “I have one thing to say about that: Appomattox.” “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.”

"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."