NM Republican Chairwoman Writes Letter Stating Obama is a Muslim Socialist

ALBUQUERQUE -

The chairwoman of a New Mexico Republican women's group on Tuesday defended a letter to the editor
in which she wrote, ''Muslims are our enemies.''

Marcia Stirman, a 56-year-old interior decorator, also called Barack Obama ''a Muslim socialist.'' A national
Islamic group expressed outrage over Stirman's letter and called on state and national Republican Party officials
to repudiate the publication of ''anti-Muslim comments.''

''Because these hate-filled remarks were made by a prominent Republican, it is incumbent on state and national
GOP officials to repudiate her divisive and intolerant views,'' said Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations. Officials with the Republican Party of New Mexico had no immediate comment.

The letter ran Tuesday in the Alamogordo Daily News. It was titled ''Why I'm a Republican'' and listed 16 reasons for
her party affiliation. The list ends with Stirman saying Obama is ''a Muslim socialist.'' She also wrote, ''I believe war
is a fact of life and we should always win.''

Stirman told The Associated Press in a telephone interview that she was surprised by reaction to her letter.
Asked for a response to Awad's concerns, she said of Muslims: ''I don't trust them at all. They've sworn across the
world that they are our enemies. Why we're trying to elect one is beside me.''

Obama grew up in a Christian family and although he has professed his Christianity repeatedly and explained how his
Christian faith shapes his politics, he has battled Internet-fueled rumors throughout the campaign that he is Muslim.