Tea Party Leader Cuts Ties After Charges of Racism

A former Sacramento leader of the Tea Party Express whose inflammatory remarks drew allegations of racism has cut ties with the organization.

The group sent an e-mail to supporters Friday announcing that Mark Williams had formally ended his involvement. He had been acting as a spokesman after stepping down as its chairman more than a month ago.

Williams set off a firestorm last week after posting a letter on his blog written from "Colored People" to Abraham Lincoln. The post suggested that black people would choose slavery over having to do real work.

In a letter to the Sacramento-based Tea Party Express, Williams said the media and "our domestic enemies" had misinterpreted his attempt at satire.