Murtha: Sorry, Not Everybody In Western Pennsylvania Is A Racist

A day after saying western Pennsylvania is a "racist area," which would make it hard for Barack Obama to carry the state on Nov. 4, Rep. John Murtha apologized for the comment.

"While we cannot deny that race is a factor in this election, I believe we've been able to look beyond race these past few months, and that voters today are concerned with the policy differences of our two candidates and their vision for the future of our great country," said Murtha in a statement release by his office.

"Sen. Obama has shown sound judgment and has presented us with a change from the failed policies of George Bush and John McCain. I believe he will win both Pennsylvania and the White House."

"There's no question Western Pennsylvania is a racist area," Mr. Murtha told the Pittsburg Post-Gazette on Wednesday. "The older population is more hesitant" to vote for Obama.