Posted on 10/20/2008 5:08:10 PM PDT by Chet 99
CHARLEROI, Pa. -- U.S. Rep. John Murtha is calling many of the people who put him in office "rednecks."
The news comes one week after Murtha claimed the area is racist, then apologized for that comment.
In explaining his comments about racism, Murtha told WTAE it's difficult for many in the area to change. Murtha said that just five to 10 years ago the entire area was "redneck."
Now Murtha said only certain segments of the population are holding on to those racist feelings.
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 Barack Obama.
"Particularly older people. They want change but they don't want to see things go too far," Murtha said.
Throughout the Mon Valley there is a mixed reaction to Murtha's claims.
"I think he made a big mistake. This valley is not racist. Not at all," said Robert Gray, of Charleroi.
Maurice Taylor, also of Charleroi, disagrees.
"I think it probably is, couple people here and there. Like not everybody, but some of them definitely. Older people mostly," Taylor said.
Murtha said he was not surprised to see Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton win the Democratic primary in Pennsylvania and he said he didn't think Obama had a chance to win the presidency after that. But since then, he claims many western Pennsylvania voters have come around and he believes many voters have left their racist beliefs behind.
"It's better than it was a few weeks ago. It's better than it was a few months ago," Murtha said.
Murtha said he has taken a new approach to dealing with voters who are factoring race into the equation. He said he asks them if they agree with John McCain's healthcare policy or with his desire to privatize social security.
"I'm saying to them 'let's not vote on whether he's black or white,' Let's vote on what the issues are," said Murtha.
They MUST be DUMB, cause they keep electing this senile, old stupid man.
If they really were rednecks, they wouldn’t be continually re-electing John Murtha. Go Bill Russell!
Hey, I resent that!! I’m a redneck and I’m not racist.
Only white elite politicians do not understand the difference.
Keep on digging, Murtha baby...
Is Murtha trying to retire himself? Has he decided he doesn't want another term, but he's not man enough to simply admit it? Whatever the answer is, keep on talking you treasonous sack of garbage!!!
LOL! Now he’s switched from calling his constituents racists to calling them rednecks. So much for his “apology”. Hopefully, he’s ticked off enough of them to vote for McCain and vote his sorry old @ss out of office!
Murtha... what a waste of human flesh.
They will keep re-electing this jackass because he brings home the pork. That’s why he survived Abscam.
Murtha must be an octopus with all those feet in his mouth.
Hmmm, isn’t Mr Murtha up for reelection again this year? If he wins, I suppose that the racists and rednecks in his district voted him again....... One would think that the fine folks from SW Pennsylvania would wake up and realize how dangerous this clown is!!!!!!!
For somebody who wants another term, Murtha is sure giving his opponent plenty of ammunition. With enemies like this, who needs friends?
He hadn’t been around long enough to deliver much pork when Abscam hit.
DING DING DING DING!!! We have a WINNAH!
The Energizer bunny. This idiot is FROM Pennsylvania - no?
Murtha is a waste of DNA!
Does he have any clue how insulting he is?What are we all suppose to be under a spell.I fell like I’m watching the pod people and don’t fall asleep cause their take over your body.
You Might Be A Redneck If . . .
. . . you were acquitted for murdering your first wife after she threw out your Elvis 45’s.
. . . you think watching professional wrestling is foreplay.
. . . your front porch collapses and four dogs get killed.
. . . you no longer drink wine ever since the screw cap got caught up your nose.
. . . you think that Dom Perignon is a Mafia leader.
. . . that billboard that says, “Say No To Crack” reminds you to pull up your jeans.
. . . your wife’s hairdo was ever ruined by a ceiling fan.
. . . you go to your family reunions looking for a date.
. . . you think John Murtha is even stupider than your brother-in-law.
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