Republican Leader In New Mexico Calls Obama A "Muslim Socialist". Asked to Resign

Santa Fe, NM (AHN) - The head of a group of Republican women in New Mexico has been asked to resign after calling Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) a "Muslim socialist."

Marcia Stirman, head of the Republican Women of Otero County, sent a letter to Alamogordo Daily News early this week stating why she is a Republican. The published letter read, "I believe in a sovereign God who sometimes gives us what we deserve. I believe Muslims are our enemies.... I believe there is a moderate and a socialist in this election. I agree with a two-party system, but Obama isn't a messiah or a democrat. He's a Muslim socialist."

The chairperson of the Republican Party in Otero County, Sassy Tinling, has denounced the comments and told KOAT that the party would ask for Stirman's resignation.

"Marcia Stirman's views and opinions in this matter are her own independent thoughts and opinions and do not reflect the thoughts and opinions of the Republican Party of Otero County or the Republican Women of Otero County," Tinling said.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation's largest Islamic civil liberties group, welcomed Tinling's statement, saying, "No political party should accept or excuse religious intolerance."

Obama, a Christian, has been fighting back persistent rumors that he is a radical Muslim. During the primary season, a photo of him wearing traditional Somali dress during a 2006 visit to Kenya was widely circulated on the Internet.

Recently, he has also been accused by Republicans of pushing a "socialist" tax policy. Obama's "spread the wealth" statement to an Ohio man now known as Joe the Plumber has been the target of the attacks.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has said he plans to "experiment with socialism." Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said on Tuesday, "Senator Obama is more interested in controlling who gets your piece of the pie than he is in growing the pie."

Obama has countered the criticisms, saying on Wednesday, "I had a nice conversation the other day with Joe the plumber. Joe is cool. I've got no problems with Joe. All I want to do is give Joe a tax cut... We can give relief to the nurse and the teacher and the bus driver and the janitor. John McCain calls that socialism."

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