Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Murtha Calls Western Pa. 'Redneck'
WTAE ^

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.


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events; US: Pennsylvania
KEYWORDS: articledate10202008; idiot; murtha; pa; senile
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-59 next last

1 posted on 10/20/2008 5:08:10 PM PDT by Chet 99
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Chet 99
Murtha went to the Joe Biden school of campaigning.
2 posted on 10/20/2008 5:11:10 PM PDT by jpf (go phillies!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99

They MUST be DUMB, cause they keep electing this senile, old stupid man.


3 posted on 10/20/2008 5:11:10 PM PDT by Ann Archy (Abortion.....The Human Sacrifice to the god of Convenience.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99

If they really were rednecks, they wouldn’t be continually re-electing John Murtha. Go Bill Russell!


4 posted on 10/20/2008 5:11:33 PM PDT by HokieMom (Pacepa : Can the U.S. afford a president who can't recognize anti-Americanism?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99
Murtha/Biden '12.

5 posted on 10/20/2008 5:11:54 PM PDT by littlehouse36 (The acorn never falls far from the tree.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99

Hey, I resent that!! I’m a redneck and I’m not racist.

Only white elite politicians do not understand the difference.


6 posted on 10/20/2008 5:12:13 PM PDT by autumnraine (Churchill: " we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall never surrender")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99

Keep on digging, Murtha baby...


7 posted on 10/20/2008 5:12:23 PM PDT by Zeppo (Every mighty mild... seventies child... Beats me (Metric - Combat Baby))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99; PhiKapMom; jazusamo; smoothsailing; Tribune7; PennsylvaniaMom; HamiltonJay; ...
I was just getting ready to post this article. Thanks.

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!!!

8 posted on 10/20/2008 5:12:38 PM PDT by impeachedrapist (Bill Clinton, as Arkansas Attorney General did you make Juanita Broaddrick pay for her rape kit?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Ann Archy

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!


9 posted on 10/20/2008 5:13:24 PM PDT by fishergirl (My warrior, my soldier, my hero - my son. God bless our troops!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Ann Archy
Maybe if he calls them racist and redneck long enough perhaps they'll get the hint?

Murtha... what a waste of human flesh.

10 posted on 10/20/2008 5:14:00 PM PDT by Northern Yankee (Freedom Needs A Soldier)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: impeachedrapist

They will keep re-electing this jackass because he brings home the pork. That’s why he survived Abscam.


11 posted on 10/20/2008 5:14:00 PM PDT by Chet 99 (Vote McCain/Palin, or this will be our future: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTb5EFZmgbs)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99

Murtha must be an octopus with all those feet in his mouth.


12 posted on 10/20/2008 5:14:01 PM PDT by MediaMole
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99

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!!!!!!!


13 posted on 10/20/2008 5:14:16 PM PDT by eeriegeno
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99

For somebody who wants another term, Murtha is sure giving his opponent plenty of ammunition. With enemies like this, who needs friends?


14 posted on 10/20/2008 5:15:07 PM PDT by Berosus (I already have a Messiah, I'm looking for a new president.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99

He hadn’t been around long enough to deliver much pork when Abscam hit.


15 posted on 10/20/2008 5:15:26 PM PDT by impeachedrapist (Bill Clinton, as Arkansas Attorney General did you make Juanita Broaddrick pay for her rape kit?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99
They will keep re-electing this jackass because he brings home the pork. That’s why he survived Abscam.

DING DING DING DING!!! We have a WINNAH!

16 posted on 10/20/2008 5:15:38 PM PDT by Old Sarge (Illic Est Haud Deus)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99; writer33; AT7Saluki; Liz

The Energizer bunny. This idiot is FROM Pennsylvania - no?


17 posted on 10/20/2008 5:16:39 PM PDT by Libloather (October is Liberal Awareness Month.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99

Murtha is a waste of DNA!


18 posted on 10/20/2008 5:17:06 PM PDT by teletech (Friends don't let friends vote DemocRAT)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99

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.


19 posted on 10/20/2008 5:17:13 PM PDT by fatima (Put your lipstick on girls and go vote.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Chet 99

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.


20 posted on 10/20/2008 5:19:38 PM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-59 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson