 -- Jay Townsend, a campaign spokesman for Republican Rep. Nan Hayworth (NY-19) has ignited a controversy after he said, "Let's hurl some acid" at female Democratic senators.

Townsend's comments (which have since been removed) were posted Thursday on a local Facebook discussion forum for New York's 19 th congressional district. Townsend was responding to comments made by a commenter named "Tom" during an online debate over gas prices. Townsend wrote:

"Listen to Tom. What a little bee he has in his bonnet. Buzz Buzz. My question today … when is Tommy boy going to weigh in on all the Lilly Ledbetter hypocrites who claim to be fighting the War on Women? Let's hurl some acid at those female democratic Senators who won't abide the mandates they want to impose on the private sector."

Hayworth's office has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.

Townsend is described on his own personal website an "adept wordsmith," and is far from a political newcomer. In 2010, he was the Republican nominee in the U.S. Senate race against Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer. Townsend eventually lost that race by 18 points. He has worked on more than 300 campaigns in 25 different states, according to his website.

The campaign for Rich Becker, who is running to unseat Hayworth, posted a statement online Thursday calling for Townsend to be fired.

"I'd be fired - immediately and with cause - if I said stuff like this. Which begs the question: why is Jay Townsend still Nan Hayworth's spokesman," wrote Becker campaign spokesman Barry Caro. "Does she agree that 'bin Laden is dead in spite of Obama?' Does she agree that we should 'hurl some acid' at politicians her campaign disagrees with? These comments are simply unprofessional and should never cross the lips of a Congressional spokesman."

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