John Murtha Calls Western Pa. ‘Redneck’

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.

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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.

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[Editor’s Note: Murtha’s earlier insults to the people who put him in office can be read here.]