Former Allegheny County Chief Executive Jim Roddey led a display of orchestrated outrage yesterday as he demanded that Gov. Ed Rendell apologize for remarks suggesting that many senior citizens led "gray" lives that could be enhanced by trips to slots parlors.

Mr. Roddey, 73, stood with a group of Republican activists at the Westin Convention Center hotel who joined him in denouncing the governor's remarks, reported last week in a Lancaster newspaper. He called on Mr. Rendell to withdraw the statement and said, "We should be celebrating the fact that we have so many senior citizens."

Geneva McKee, a former Republican candidate for Allegheny County Council, said, "I'm really appalled at what the governor said."

The news conference was one of a series called around the state to draw attention to Mr. Rendell's statement.

The Rendell campaign issued a statement in rebuttal, suggested that the response to the governor's remarks was staged by Republican gubernatorial candidate Lynn Swann.

"[What] makes Swann's staged attacks even more desperate is that he has yet to propose a plan for older Pennsylvanians. In fact, with just over a week remaining, Swann still has yet to propose a plan to expand prescription drug coverage, improve their ability to remain in their homes as they age or reduce their costs of living," the Rendell campaign said.

In an earlier response to GOP criticism of his statement, Mr. Rendell said it was taken out of context, but added that he stood by the substance of the remark.

"I said there were some seniors and this is true, who do live in a very gray existence. They live in their homes and don't get visited or don't get visited much, and I know that's the case because so many seniors tell me what it is to have meals delivered or home health care delivered ... And gaming is exciting and it's colorful and if it's done responsibly it can be a very, very positive thing in people's lives. It's another form of entertainment."