Free Republic

WASHINGTON -- Democratic Rep. John Murtha said Wednesday his home base of western Pennsylvania is racist and that could reduce Barack Obama's victory margin in the state by 4 percentage points. The 17-term Democratic congressman told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in a story posted Wednesday on its Web site: "There is no question that western Pennsylvania is a racist area." Murtha said it has taken time for many Pennsylvania voters to come around to embracing a black presidential candidate, but that Obama should still win the state, though not in a runaway.

Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen will be remembered as one of Queensland's most influential political figures, Prime Minister John Howard says. In a statement issued by his Canberra office, Mr Howard - who has left China en route for Anzac commemorations in Turkey - said Sir Joh was a powerful conservative with strong convictions. "While his views may often have differed from his political opponents, no one could deny his love of Queensland," Mr Howard said. Sir Joh died on Saturday aged 94 in hospital in his home town of Kingaroy in south-east Queensland. Referring to the Sir Joh's tough upbringing, Mr...