Nashville News Blog

Chris Devaney

The state GOP executive committee actually did the reasonable thing for a change, choosing Chris Devaney as the new party chair. It's a step toward moderation, according to Tom Humphrey. Pith in the Wind takes credit for Devaney's squeaker victory. Cleverly, we used a little reverse psychology on the committee, demanding that they elect rich guy Oscar Brock or crazy state Rep. Eric Swafford. It's never a surprise when Republicans go against the wishes of Pith.

Now, Devaney has a few decisions to make. Will the party continue on the ridiculous path laid out by Robin Smith, who thinks (1) America's fighting a holy war against Islam (2) it's fine to refer to the president as "Uncle Obama" and (3) it's also perfectly OK to use race-baiting tactics in an election campaign?

Here's another question for Devaney. Now that the party's behaving reasonably again, should you employ a lightning-rod communications director whose disgraceful press releases have brought national derision to the state party and who is universally viewed as a far-right lunatic by political reporters? We're just asking.