New York, NY, Sep 01, 2010 — In a sit-down interview this week with North Country Public Radio, Rep. Scott Murphy said that his political identity is distinct from that of his national party going into this fall's midterm election.

Will voters buy that argument, despite Murphy's support for key elements of the Democratic agenda?

In a district where registered Republicans outnumber registered Democrats, that question may define whether or not Murphy wins a full first term in his race with Republican challenger Chris Gibson.

Here is Rep. Murphy's unedited conversation with Brian Mann.