(CNSNews.com) - Rep. Virgil Goode, a Virginia Republican, said he's "somewhat surprised" that his comments about Muslims in general -- and incoming Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) in particular -- have caused such a stir.

Goode spoke with Fox News's David Asman on Thursday.

In a letter to a constituent (that later made it onto a blog), Goode wrote, "If American citizens don't wake up and adopt the Virgil Goode position on immigration, there will likely be many more Muslims elected to office and demanding use of the Koran" (to take their oaths).

Goode told Fox News he believes the U.S. needs to "totally stop illegal immigration, reduce legal immigration and do away with diversity visas," which he described as an effort to increase the number of non-European immigrants in the United States.

Virgil Goode noted that members of Congress don't actually put their hands on a Bible at their official oath-taking. They simply raise their hands and recite the oath of office. Later, at ceremonial swearing-ins, lawmakers may place their hands on Bibles - or in Ellison's case, the Koran.

Goode said he's not in favor of prohibiting Ellison from bringing in a Koran - but he would like to restrict immigration "so that we don't have a majority of Muslims elected to the United States House of Representatives."

A Muslim civil rights group has pounced on Goode's comments as an example of anti-Muslim bigotry and intolerance.

The Council on American Islamic Relations said on Thursday said it was "deeply troubled by the failure of state and national GOP leaders to clearly distance themselves from Rep. Goode's intolerant remarks."

Republican leaders in Virginia should have learned a lesson in tolerance from the controversy over Senator George Allen's "macaca" episode, said CAIR National Legislative Director Corey Saylor.

A number of Democratic lawmakers have condemned Goode's comments as "offensive." But, CAIR said, no similar statements have come from GOP leaders.

CAIR said it has offered to arrange a meeting between Goode and Virginia Muslims.

Also See:
Islamic Group Has Mastered Victimization Game, Critic Says (22 Dec. 2006)
Islamic Group Wants GOP to Repudiate Congressman (21 Dec. 2006)

Subscribe to the free CNSNews.com daily E-Brief.

Send a Letter to the Editor about this article.