Once again, Democratic Representative John Murtha of Pennsylvania has inserted his foot squarely into his mouth and has insulted his consituents by telling the Pittsburgh Post Gazette that there is "no question that western Pennsylvania is a racist area, and predicting that those attitudes could cost the Illinois senator (Obama) on Election Day.
Murtha is fortunate that he isn't running for re-election this year.
How will his statements impact the vote? Will voters side with McCain perhaps out of resentment for Murtha's characterization or will they vote for Obama to attempt to disprove Murtha's assertions?
I would not vote for Obama just on his huge socialist platform alone. The guy and his ideas for this country scare me. Putting that aside, he is one of the most articulate speakers I've ever heard, Next to Mario Cuomo and Clinton. But then again, with the exception of Republican Ronald Regan, the dems are the best at speaking! They are charmers. They know all of the touchy feely words to use.
Race is a part of this presidential election weather we like it or not. Or weather we want to admit it or not. But it is reminisent of when JFK ran for president. It wasn't race then, but it was religion. HE WAS A CATHOLIC!!! And there were pros and cons about that also.
There is no question that Obama comes with some cultural bagage. He is black. Part Muslim. Rev. Wright and Ayres. Acorn. Some being his birth right and some by aquaintance. And although one or all of these things may play a part in ones decision to vote for/against him, WHAT IS HIS PLATFORM? In my opinion...he has a socialist platform! And that my cyber space friends is why I wouldn't vote for him.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
I don't know what to make of recent outrageous claims that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is being victimized by racism. First, Democratic congressman John Lewis of Georgia, a civil rights figure and Obama supporter, claimed that Republican presidential candidate John McCain was fomenting racism by questioning Obama's onetime involvement with 1960s radical William Ayers. Then Democratic congressman John Murtha contended that racism in his western Pennsylvania district was cutting Obama's lead in the polls. A racist judges a person’s worth by the color of his or her skin and may vote against that person because of race. But favoring or voting for a person because of color is equally racist. Tell me promotion of Obama's candidancy a few months ago by television talk show host Oprah wasn't racially motivated. There are plenty of good, non-racist reasons to oppose Obama. A few examples: --Proposed tax increases that would penalize small- and medium-size businesses while giving what the Wall Street Journal calls welfare-like allotments to 63 million Americans who pay no federal income tax. --An inevitable increase in gas and oil prices because Democrats adamantly oppose expanded areas for oil and gas drilling in our country. --An extremist pro-choice position that would refuse care to babies born alive after failed abortion. --A premature troop pullout from Iraq that would spark a civil war which the most brutal bad guys would win. It's not Obama's race that's a problem, it's his radical left-liberal agenda.
I don't know what to make of recent outrageous claims that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is being victimized by racism. First, Democratic congressman John Lewis of Georgia, a civil rights figure and Obama supporter, claimed that Republican presidential candidate John McCain was fomenting racism by questioning Obama's onetime involvement with 1960s radical William Ayers. Then Democratic congressman John Murtha contended that racism in his western Pennsylvania district was cutting Obama's lead in the polls. A racist judges a person’s worth by the color of his or her skin and may vote against that person because of race. But favoring or voting for a person because of color is equally racist. Tell me promotion of Obama's candidancy a few months ago by television talk show host Oprah wasn't racially motivated. There are plenty of good, non-racist reasons to oppose Obama. A few examples: --Proposed tax increases that would penalize small- and medium-size businesses while giving what the Wall Street Journal calls welfare-like allotments to 63 million Americans who pay no federal income tax. --An inevitable increase in gas and oil prices because Democrats adamantly oppose expanded areas for oil and gas drilling in our country. --An extremist pro-choice position that would refuse care to babies born alive after failed abortion. --A premature troop pullout from Iraq that would spark a civil war which the most brutal bad guys would win. It's not Obama's race that's a problem, it's his radical left-liberal agenda.
Very well put Kempis. I have often wondered if all of the political satire (e.g.,SNL), was done as a left wing movement against the right. OR, if any political satire would be considered 'racist' if directed at the left. (Obama) It would appear to some, that Obama is actually at an advantage because of his race.
Some also take issue with the groups that are registering blacks by the hundreds of thousands. This is shameful since this should have been done with ALL past elections. What would make this presidential election any different to suddenly recruit the black community to register (some for the first time) to vote? The platform?
Now on the flip side, the Evangelicals will also encourage and possibly register Christians to vote to support a platform such as right to life or same sex marriage.
We can only hope that when everyone votes next week, it is solely on the basis of the platform.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Quoted from Brad Littlefeild: Will voters side with McCain perhaps out of resentment for Murtha's characterization or will they vote for Obama to attempt to disprove Murtha's assertions?
Based on the polls that show a tightening race for President in Pennsylvania, I would guess that Murtha's statements are hurting both Obama and Murtha's own reelection bid. I am glad to see that those in western Pennsylvania aren't being intimidated into supporting Obama simply to prove that they aren't racist, as Murtha asserts.
Murtha Wins Re-Election in Pennsylvania Democratic seventeen-term Rep. John Murtha beats Republican challenger in Pennsylvania.
FOXNews.com Tuesday, November 04, 2008
In spite of calling his constituents "rednecks" and saying that his district was in a racist part of the state, seventeen-term Pennsylvania Congressman John Murtha was re-elected with over 58 percent of the vote to beat out retired Republican Army lieutenant colonel William Russell.
"I first want to say how proud I am to represent this hard-working patriotic area, how much I appreciate the support I got. We turned this thing around in ten days, and the folks worked so hard. I appreciate President Clinton coming in, I appreciate Hillary Clinton's Robo-calls, and of course Joyce's long-term work with the Girl Scouts and so forth. All of it paid off," Murtha said on Tuesday night.
Trouble began for Murtha when the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that he said: "There is no question that western Pennsylvania is a racist area." While he apologized, he also told Pittsburgh's WTAE-TV that "this whole area, years ago, was really redneck."
Murtha was criticized for his remarks and former President Bill Clinton was dispatched to lend his support for the beleaguered congressman in the final days of the race.
But a victorious Murtha said Tuesday night that he looked forward to a Democratic president.
"First thing the President has to do is restore the credibility of the United States of America, and I think Obama's a guy that can do it," Murtha said. "I really look forward to serving with him."
In other races around the state Centre County GOP chairman Glenn Thompson has won the state's only open congressional seat.
In northwestern Pennsylvania, seven-term Republican Rep. Phil English is trailing Democratic political newcomer Kathy Dahlkemper. She has nearly 53 percent of the vote.
Two other incumbent Republican congressmen are also in very tight races -- Reps. Jim Gerlach from suburban Philadelphia and Joseph Pitts from central Pennsylvania.
In northeast Pennsylvania, Democrat Paul Kanjorski is fighting for his political survival against a strong challenge from Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
So I guess they really are racist rednecks, huh? The voters certainly weren't offended by those remarks.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
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