Congressman Says Western Pa. Was 'Really Redneck'
October 21, 2008
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, D-Johnstown, told WTAE Channel 4 Action News on Monday 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 Sen. Barack Obama for president.
"Particularly older people. They want change
but they don't want to see things go too far," Murtha said.
Murtha's comments on Monday were made in Charleroi, Washington County, at an event to open the expansion facility of Nokomis, Inc., and to announce recent contracts the company had received from the Department of Defense.
Throughout the Mon Valley there is a mixed reaction to Murtha's comments.
"I think he made a big mistake. This valley is not racist. Not at all," said Robert Gray, of Charleroi.
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Murtha Calls Western Pa. 'Redneck'
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