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.
Yeah, in part. Not just ‘dumb’, sometimes even ‘smart’ in other ways. Just well indoctrinated. They complain against the ‘system’ run by the ‘rich’ (you know, republicans) that holds them down (job loss, unemployment, welfare) and complain about the high cost of medicine and heating fuel and gas and rising property taxes (someone has to pay, because the unemployed are paying less in tax), and then vote straight Dem in every election, just like they’re told. I’ve had those conversations.
I haven’t seen any yet. I wish they would. The only one I’ve seen is the sportsman for Obama.
Ditto. The pig knows enough to put on boots when the poo gets too deep.
Calling old folks rednecks. And calling his constituents racist.
But hey, they ought not to mind it. He called Marines cold blooded killers and a skunk don’t change his stripe. They shoulda seen it comin’.
You're a towel.
LOL, that’s gonna be one messy ping!
Dear Pennsylvania,
Greetings from a friend of Pennsylvania and it’s great history and significant contributions to the freedom of all Americans. Far from being a racist state, Pennsylvania has paid a tremendous price for freedom.
Freedom for all cost Pennsylvania over 33,000 lives in the Civil War.
You are from freedom loving stock, and belief in that principle has been handed down for generations from grandfathers who’ve gone to their reward but who underscored their beliefs in red.
Murtha is not worthy to lead the grandchildren of these freedom loving men.
0bama slipped up in San Francisco when he said Pennsylvanians 'bitterly cling to their guns and their religion.' He didn't know that anyone was recording him...he was with his limosine liberal 'peeps.'
Contrast that with what John Murtha is doing (and I don't believe he is this stupid, maybe a little senile...) but...
0BAMA/BIDEN'S INTERNALS MUST BE SO BAD THAT THEY NEED 'COVER' FOR WHEN THEY LOSE PA (the can win w/o PA)...but it just looks so damn bad to loose a state they should win. Murtha is a good democratic foot soldier. He has his marching orders...'say something outrageous...they aren't going to vote for 0bama anyway.' So after the election, he can come out and say...'see I told you. The racist, rednecks wouldn't vote for...'
The NRA supports al Murthawi
Thanks for the ping. This moron needs to go! Go Russell!
Bump to that Justa. I think the guy was senile two years ago but he wasn’t going over the edge like he is now. Russell will make a very good replacement, just hope the voters know that.
Thanks for the ping. I sent my 2nd donation in to the Russell campaign today. I hope he beats Murtha. Wish I lived closer to help Russell’s campaign.
Big ol' BUMP to that, Jaz.
WHY DO YOU PEOPLE IN Pennsylvania KEEP ELECTING THIS IDIOT INTO OFFICE? FIRST HE SMEARED OUR TROOPS IN IRAQ NOW HE IS CALLING YOU RACIST AND REDNECKS!! HE IS PRETTY MUCH CALLING YOU ALL IDIOTS. THE MEDIA TOTALLY MISSED THE FACT THAT THERE ARE U.S. ARMY BASES IN THE WEST. FORT INDIAN TOWN GAP IS IN THE WEST. IS HE CALLING OUR SOLDIERS AT THIS BASE REDNECKS? THEY ARE IN THE WEST OF Pennsylvania AND THEY VOTE SO I GUESS SO. HOW ABOUT EVERYONE AT THE HERSEYS FACTORY!! IS HE CALLING EVERYONE THAT WORKS AT THE FACTORY REDNECKS AND RACIST TOO? YOU PEOPLE IN Pennsylvania NEED TO STAND UP AND VOTE THIS MORON OUT OF OFFICE. HE IS EMBARRASSING YOUR STATE AND YOU PUT UP WITH IT! HOW PATHETIC!!!
Will this finally be what unseats this hateful bastard. We shall see.
The ex Marine is just itching to be tossed out of office. May this finally be the straw that broke the pig’s back.
You folks have it wrong. He’s trying to flatter them!
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