Republican presidential candidate John McCain (web|news|bio) 's brother made an apparent joke at a campaign rally this weekend that might not play well in parts of newly competitive Virginia.

Speaking at an event in Loudoun County (web|news) in support of his brother, Joe McCain called two Democratic-leaning areas in Northern Virginia "communist country," according to a report on The Washington Post's Web site. Joe McCain, a Navy veteran, said: "I've lived here for at least 10 years and before that about every third duty I was in either Arlington or Alexandria (web|news), up in communist country." 

According to the report, Joe McCain then apologized, but the remark drew laughter at the event.

McCain campaign spokeswoman Gail Gitcho called it "Joe McCain's unsuccessful attempt at humor." She says the McCain-Palin ticket is committed to winning support of Northern Virginia voters.

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