Top U.S. Republicans call for Michigan GOP committeeman to resign

DETROIT, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Top Republicans joined the call for the resignation of Michigan Republican National Committeeman Dave Agema over comments he made seen as insensitive to gays.

At the close of the Republican National Committee's three-day winter meeting Friday, RNC Chairman Reince Priebus and state Party Chairman Bobby Schostak told the Detroit Free Press they want Agema to resign after a controversial speech in December at a party meeting in Berrien County.

"Folks, [homosexuals] want free medical because they're dying between 38 and 44 years old," Agema told the gathering. "It's a biggie. So, to me it's a moral issue. It's a biblical issue. Traditional marriage is where it should be and that is in our platform, so people that are opposed on that issue within our party are wrong."

State Attorney General Bill Schuette and former MichiganSecretary of State Terri Lynn Land also called for Agema to quit, the newspaper said.

"What is best for the party, and is best for Dave, is that he resigns," Land said.