DENVER – In selecting U.S. Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) as his running mate, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has undercut any gains Republican rival John McCain could make in Pennsylvania by picking former Keystone State governor Tom Ridge, U.S. Rep. John Murtha (D-Johnstown) suggested today.

“There’s no question …he’s a good governor and he’s well thought of,” Murtha said in a short interview with PolitickerPA.com, referring to Ridge. “But with Biden on the ticket, he almost offsets that.”

Murtha said that Biden, a six term senator, would especially help bring in votes in the eastern part of Pennsylvania, the part of the state closest to Biden’s Delaware. He also said that Biden’s Wednesday evening speech at the Democratic National Convention would be a key moment for the newly-minted vice presidential nominee.

Murtha, who has served in the House since 1974, currently serves as chair of the powerful House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee.