Rep. Jack Murtha, one of Nancy Pelosi's top lieutenants and an outspoken support of Hillary Clinton's during the Pennsylvania primary, is blunt.
"There is no question that western Pennsylvania is a racist area," he tells the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Who knows how this'll impact the presidential race? Murtha says it'll shave four points off Obama's total in that region.
I bet a lot of Murtha's constituents in the 12 congressional district don't think they're racist.
Murtha's opponent this cycle is Bill Russell.Lieutenant Colonel Russell (USAR ret.). Six tours of duty, including in Iraq. Sarah Palin spoke in Johntown, PA this Saturday and said nice things about Russell.
The first (and only) debate happens to be tomorrow.
« Tonights's Debate Explained In Three Short Bulletpoints | Main | Karl Rove's Latest Map » Pennsylvania Omen For Obama? Murtha Calls His District Racist15 Oct 2008 04:17 pm Comments (21)
I bet a lot of Murtha's constituents in the 12 congressional district don't think they're racist. Does that make it true? I'll be George Bush thinks he's a great president. 
you can't be that dense marc. just because someone doesn't think they're racist, doesn't mean they're not... archie bunker probably didn't think he was a racist either...
This continual oscillation between McCain fellation-Obama disdain and supposed objectivity-blind item reporting isn't helping your image much. I'd pick one or the other, and be honest about which one it is. Agreed. That "Obama porn" comment was beneath you, Marc.
I bet a lot of Murtha's constituents in the 12 congressional district don't think they're racist. And judging by some of those interviewed in the NYT this morning, a lot of them probably nodded and said "Yeah, and what of it?"
I hear you Seamus and JB---the anecdotal evidence or inference that some of a particular group are something makes it ok to suggest everyone in that group possesses that characteristic! How about this then? Asians are bad drivers?
I bet a lot of Murtha's constituents in the 12 congressional district don't think they're racist. You would be wrong. Come here some time. People aren't ashamed of it - they'll tell you openly. The only people who are shocked by this statement are people who haven't spent any significant time in western Pennsylvania. (And I'm not implying all of Murtha's constituents are racist. But probably more than many people think.)
I'm from the area. Raised there, returned there after I served in the army and went to college. Stubbornly stayed hoping to help stem the hemorrhage of young blood from the region. I agree with Murtha's assessment. The region has a disappointingly large selection of closed-minded, ignorant, racist, and very vocal bigots. They don't represent all of us, but they're rather politically active. Guess there's nothing else to do as you wallow away in rotting steel-and-coal ghost towns waiting for someone else to bring back their glory days.
Wow! That was a very strong statement, but judging from some of the feedback here, it seem true on some level. By the way, here is a website I found that shares all the Sarah Palin dirt to support Barack Obama!
Why is his singling out Western PA? As someone who currently lives in Pittsburgh, but spent 10 years in central PA, I'd argue that it's pretty much everywhere in the state. There are segments of the cities that are open-minded, but there's a reason it's often referred to, by the locals, as Pennsyltucky. Or as James Carville said, it's Pittsburgh and Philadelphia with Alabama in between. I know that when I was in college at Penn State in the early 80s, PA had the largest KKK membership north of the Mason-Dixon and at that time, the Grand Wizard, or Dragon, or whatever silly name they give the leader, was from central PA.
I EXPECT JOHN MURTHA TO APOLOGIZE TO US DEMOCRATS REGISTERED TO VOTE IN WESTERN PENNA, WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS? I WILL CHANGE MY MIND AND VOTE FOR JOHN MCCAIN, MR MURTHA, BECAUSE YOU ARE SO STUPID AS TO CATEGORIZE ALL OF US IN WESTERN PENNA AS BIGOTS AND RACISTS. AS THE MOTHER OF 4 TRIAL LAWYERS AND 1 SITTING JUDGE I WILL HAVE YOU KNOW WE ARE NOT DUMB AND GUESS WHAT WE'VE FIGURED YOU OUT!
The question is whether the 5% is openly racist, or hidden, and thus whether it's already factored into the polling results or is the makings of a Bradley Effect.
The Democrats manage psychological racist war against John Mccain. They try to play on the strings of the fear of the Whites to be called racist. Be wise, don’t fell to this trap.
Gov Ed said basically the same thing this spring about his election, which I thought would hurt him, and PA said "yeah, 5 points is about right." So I don't think it will hurt Murtha, no. If it's about hurting Obama, then I'd point to the double digit lead he's held in the state for many weeks. If people don't want to vote for him, they can tell pollsters they like McCain. A 15-20 point Bradley effect, when the existence of Bradley effect in the 80s is doubtful and its existence this century is undercut by numerous Bradley-free elections? I'll find something else to worry about.
I live in western PA and if Murtha cant think of something worth saying then he should keep his mouth shut! This is unacceptable and I have demanded a public apology and so have many others. I cant wait till his office opens in the morning. Why does everyone think if you dont support Obama you are racist? This is CRAZY! Maybe it is Murtha himself who is a closet RACIST??? He didnt have anything nice to say about Obama before the PA Primary.
Murtha's remarks are beyond the pale. Those remarks, combined with his calling the Haditha Marines murderers, are going to send him into richly deserved retirement. He obviously needs a long rest.
Who ever mentioned Porn, stole my thunder. I think that Gov. Palin manipulates her lips in a sexy, erotic way. It's better than Viagra.
I'm originally from Johnstown, now living in Chicago, I take issue - have always taken issue - with the politics of Jack Murtha. So, people from small western PA towns are racist, bitter, and cling to their guns and religion?!?! Come on. This man DOES NOT represent the good people that I know in my hometown. The folks that I've talked to, who are voting for McCain, are doing so because of his and/or Obama's POLITICS. These people will judge the man on the content of his character and his policies and not the color of his skin - which is better than giving him your vote simply because he is black or because he's "handson, young, and articulate." I as in PA during the last Governor's race and voted for Lynn Swan because I felt that he was the best candidate. JUST BECAUSE I WILL NOT VOTE FOR A MAN THAT WOULD MOVE US A STEP CLOSER TO SOCIALISM WITH HIS BIG GOVERNMENT ANTI-CAPITALISTIC IDEOLOGIES DOES NOT MAKE ME RACIST. It makes me a concious and well informed voter.
Vote noObama. If we choose Obama as the next US President our freedom is over. Do your own research and discover the truth to the allegations. Obama has spent a good portion of his life working against US interest. Why would he want to now lead this country? Because he has plans for change and the change will not be good. I'm not particularly a fan of the Republicans but I do believe McCain has the right heart and mind for the American people's interest. Spend some time on your own research to discover Obama's real identity. It's very scary stuff.
After voting against that big, fat, jerk Murtha for 25 years (all absentee because of my military service) I'm sorry I'm no longer in his district to finally help drive the stake through his political heart. I watch with great joy and anticipation from my retirement location in Colorado to Ex-Marine (no, not "former" Marine - that would be giving him too much respect) Murtha finally going DOWN! Get out of town Jack(#ss)!
Its funny that Lynn Swan, a black Republican canidate, did better in the general election in PA for the 2006 gov. race than the polls suggested and had a reverse Bradely-Effect... He was up by 6 points over what the polls said. Funny that Murtha wasn't speaking up in 2006 when his party didnt have the minority canidate.
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Let's call it what it is: Obama porn.
WTF???
This continual oscillation between McCain fellation-Obama disdain and supposed objectivity-blind item reporting isn't helping your image much. I'd pick one or the other, and be honest about which one it is.
Then you might be able to have productive discussions with your commenters...
Posted by Peter | October 15, 2008 4:35 PM