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Jack Murtha: My Constituents Aren’t Racist They’re Rednecks

October 21, 2008 By Jeff Leave a Comment

Apparently Congressman Murtha doesn’t no when to shut up…

Just days after classifying western Pennsylvania as racist, Murtha took a step back from those comments, albeit a small one.

“What I said, that indicted everybody, that’s not what I meant at all. What I mean is there’s still folks that have a problem voting for someone because they are black,” Murtha said.

Murtha said the history of southwestern Pennsylvania is rife with racism.”This whole area, years ago, was really redneck,” Murtha told Channel 4 Action News.

Murtha believes there is one segment of the population which is holding on to its racist beliefs and he said it’s difficult for them to change. Murtha said it may be even more difficult for them to vote for Sen. Barack Obama for president.

“Particularly older people. They want change but they don’t want to see things go too far,” Murtha said.

Full story and video @ ThePittsburghChannel.com.

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Murtha Apologizes

October 16, 2008 By Jeff Leave a Comment

Apparently his constituents aren’t racist:

October 16, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Murtha Statement on Comments made about Western Pennsylvania Yesterday

JOHNSTOWN, PA — Congressman John P. Murtha, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, was quoted yesterday in remarks made at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (www.post-gazette.com ) and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (www.pittsburghlive.com). He issued the following statement today: “I apologize for making the comment that ‘Western Pennsylvania is a racist area.’

“While we cannot deny that race is a factor in this election, I believe we’ve been able to look beyond race these past few months, and that voters today are concerned with the policy differences of our two candidates and their vision for the future of our great country.

“Senator Obama has shown sound judgment and has presented us with a change from the failed policies of George Bush and John McCain. I believe he will win both Pennsylvania and the White House.”

Umm Congressman, as long as you’re in an apologizing mood how about an apology for the Marines you smeared?

H/T: Kathryn Jean Lopez via Hot Air.

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Jack Murtha: My Constituents Are Racist

October 15, 2008 By Jeff Leave a Comment

I guess smearing Marines as cold blooded killers wasn’t enough for him… Now he’s calling his own constituents racist.

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Murtha expects Obama to win Pa.
Says it has taken time for voters to embrace black candidate
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
By Ed Blazina, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

U.S. Rep. John Murtha said today he expects Democratic nominee Barack Obama to carry Pennsylvania in next month’s presidential election.

Mr. Murtha, a 17-term Democrat from Johnstown, told the Post-Gazette’s editorial writers he sees momentum building in Mr. Obama’s campaign across the state for the general election after he lost his party’s April primary to Hillary Clinton. He thinks Republican John McCain’s efforts have been stymied by the country’s economic crisis.

“I think Obama is going to win, but I don’t think it’s going to be a runaway,” he said. “I think he wins Pennsylvania.”

Mr. Murtha said it has taken time for the state’s voters embrace a black presidential candidate.

“There’s no question Western Pennsylvania is a racist area,” said Mr. Murtha, whose district stretches from Johnstown to Washington County. “The older population is more hesitant.”

Mr. Murtha said groups he deals with regularly, such as military veterans and senior citizens, have come around to supporting Mr. Obama in the past three months. He credited Mr. Obama with being the most organized candidate he has ever seen.

Murtha’s facing what should be a stiff challenge from Bill Russell in November, you’d think he wouldn’t risk alienating his own constituents.

H/T: Michelle Malkin.

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