Two thumbs up for Robin Smith

Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsay gave Tennessee Republican Party chairman Robin Smith his vote of confidence.

"Robin’s been doing a fantastic job," he said. "From the bottom of my heart I believe that she’s a good speaker, she’s a good motivator, she’s a good leader, she’s doing a great job."

He declined to comment further on a recent Tennessee Republican Party press release titled "Anti-Semites for Obama" that has prompted national reaction and international coverage.

The original release used Barack Obama's middle name of Hussein and showed a photo of him in what was labeled Muslim dress. Obama was wearing Kenyan garb from his father's native country.

The release has been repudiated by Sen. John McCain and the National Republican Party. U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander reportedly worked with Robin Smith to tone down the release.

The revised version of the original release is available through the Republican Party web site.