CINCINNATI, Ohio (AP) -- Ohio Republican Jean Schmidt apologized Tuesday for her sharp comments about a fellow congressman's call to immediately pull troops from Iraq, which caused a furor in the U.S. House.Schmidt was booed off the House floor Friday after she criticized Rep. John Murtha, D-Pennsylvania, saying that "cowards cut and run, Marines never do."When Schmidt made the comment, Democrats rose in protest at the suggestion that Murtha, a decorated Vietnam War veteran and the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations defense subcommittee, was a coward.Schmidt said the comment came from a conversation with state Rep. Danny Bubp."While I strongly disagree with his policy, neither Representative Bubp nor I ever wished to attack Congressman Murtha," she said in a statement. "I only take exception to his policy position."Bubp, also a Republican, has denied discussing Murtha with Schmidt."Our conversation was based strictly on the proposal to immediately withdraw our troops from Iraq and the consequences of such a proposal," Bubp said in a statement.Neither Schmidt nor Bubp returned calls left at their offices Tuesday.Murtha has called Schmidt's comment ridiculous."You can't spin this. You've got to have a real solution," Murtha said Monday when asked about her remarks at a news conference in Pennsylvania. "This is not a war of words, this is a war."Other Republicans also criticized Murtha for calling for the withdrawal of troops. President Bush and other administration officials have since said that while they don't agree with Murtha, they do not question his patriotism.Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.