COLUMBIA, S.C. - A Lowcountry Republican's remarks on women and domestic violence prompted the state Democratic Party to demand his resignation in a resolution approved at their convention Saturday.

Rep. John Graham Altman of Charleston was a hot topic at a convention that in an off-election year typically would produce little news.

On Monday, though, the House Judiciary Committee tabled a bill that would have toughened the state's criminal domestic violence laws by increasing penalties for offenses now classified as misdemeanors.

A Columbia television station noted that bill died and compared its failure with approval of a bill that would turn cockfighting into a felony. The comparison didn't sit well with Altman, R-Charleston, who questioned a TV reporter's intelligence. Then Altman went further with comments women say are insensitive.

"I do not understand why women continue to go back around men who abuse them," Altman said in a Tuesday interview on WIS-TV in Columbia. "I've asked women that and they all tell me the same answer, 'John Graham, you don't understand.' And I say you're right, I don't understand," the lawmaker said.

The campaign trail for Democrats ahead is an opportunity "to respond to simple, narrow-minded people who just don't get it," state Democratic Party Chairman Joe Erwin said after winning re-election to the party's top job.

"His comments were just so absurd," Erwin later told The Associated Press. "I don't know that this guy is a healthy, sound voice for South Carolina." Delegates were responding to the news, Erwin said. "These people are angry," he said.

Altman said "the Democratic Party used to be an important party. They've trivialized themselves down to temper tantrums now. ... I guess they're politically bankrupt now and don't have anything to be for."

The state Republican Party isn't giving Altman much shelter. His comments "on the domestic violence bill and his comments to the reporter were very disappointing and out of line, whether he be a Republican or a Democrat," Scott Malyerck, the state GOP executive director, said.

As for the resolution, "I suspect they would like to do resolutions asking every Republican to resign," Malyerck said.

Altman, whose legal practice includes victims of domestic abuse, maintains he is not off base. The long-held advice for women in abusive relationships has been to leave, he says. In spite of the criticism, Democrats have not offered an alternative to that, he said.

The spotlight on Altman energized Democrats and brought out people eager to challenge Altman next year. Party leaders say at least three candidates are mulling a bids, including one person who wants to move to Altman's district from the Columbia area.

Erwin said. "I think I'm going to have to beat them off with a stick," he said.

Charlie Smith, an openly gay man who ran against Altman last year and lost, said he's considering a bid, but hasn't made up his mind.

Altman disparaged the effort, saying "that's what the party has reduced itself to in Charleston: militant homosexuals."

Erwin says Democrats "cannot accept being in a permanent minority status, not if they (Republicans) are going to abuse power and say these outlandish things."

The GOP controls the governor's office, Senate and House. But Erwin sees that changing sooner rather than later.