New Hampshire: Small town police commissioner resigns over using "N" word to describe President Obama

A local police commissioner has resigned after a firestorm erupted last week in the New Hampshire town of Wolfeboro.  Robert Copeland  was brought to task for using a racial slur to refer to President Obama.

Copeland admitted using the slur, preceded by an obscenity, while he was at a restaurant in March. The comment was overheard by a resident of the New Hampshire town and acknowledged by Copeland in an email to his fellow police commissioners.

As the story grew, even former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney denounced the use of the slur.   “The vile epithet used and confirmed by the commissioner has no place in our community,” Romney said. “He should apologize and resign.”

At a town meeting last week, over 100 residents called for the resignation of Copeland. Copeland didn't even attempt to defend himself:

"I believe I did use the 'N' word in reference to the current occupant of the Whitehouse," Copeland said in the April email sent to the two other commissioners and forwarded to O'Toole. "For this, I do not apologize — he meets and exceeds my criteria for such."

A handful of people at the meeting spoke on behalf of Copeland, saying he had a right to free speech. But the louder message came from those who wanted him out.

"Comments like these, especially coming from a public official, are not only inexcusable but also terribly, unfortunately, reflects poorly on our town," O'Toole said at the meeting.