Chip Saltsman, candidate for the Republican National Committee chairmanship, was blasted by some political rivals over the weekend for a song he included on a CD sent to RNC members -- those who will be voting in late January for the next chair. The holiday greeting CD -- which included a song titled, "Barack the Magic Negro" -- and the responses from Saltsman's rivals were first reported on by The Hill.

Florida Republican Party chairman Jim Greer issued a statement on the news today. Greer was once thought to be a formidable candidate for the RNC chairmanship, but never threw his hat in the ring. Here is his statement:

"As the GOP Chairman in one of our nation's most ethnically and culturally diverse states, I am especially disappointed by the inappropriate words and actions we've seen over the past few days," Greer said. "I am proud of those party leaders who have stood up in firm opposition to this type of behavior."

“In Florida we have worked hard to reach out to ALL citizens to promote the Republican Party's principles and values while ensuring that our commitment to African Americans, Hispanics, and other minority communities is sincere and credible. Actions such as the distribution of this CD, regardless of intent, only serves to promote divisiveness and distracts us from our common goal of building our party.

“Today, the GOP has an unprecedented opportunity to embrace change and inclusion, and we are either going to welcome this opportunity fully or watch it slip through our fingers. We can only achieve success if Republican leaders reject racial or any other acts that divide us and instead embrace what unites us as a nation.”