Dems Who Missed Forum to Address NAACP

[Freddie Stubbs]

Three Democratic White House hopefuls who earlier this week skipped the NAACP's presidential forum have apparently reconsidered the snub and now want to attend.

Three days after being labeled "persona non grata" by the president of the NAACP, Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, Missouri Rep. Dick Gephardt and Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich were expected to address the group Thursday.

NAACP President Kweisi Mfume said he learned late Wednesday that both Gephardt and Lieberman wanted to travel to Miami Beach to publicly apologize. He said his staff then contacted Kucinich, and the Ohio congressman's campaign said it "wanted to come and do the same."

NAACP leaders lambasted the three lawmakers when they didn't make it to the convention's forum Monday. The six Democrats who did attend the forum shared the stage with four empty chairs, each labeled with the name of a candidate who did not attend - Lieberman, Gephardt, Kucinich, and President Bush.

more: http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/bw-elect/2003/jul/17/071707863.html

[Rainbowreflect]

1. I cannot believe the NAACP is putting Lieberman,

who did an interview with O'Reilly insted of going, in the same light as Kucinich, who was doing his job, showing up for an important vote.

[Dear Prudence]

2. RE: "I cannot believe the NAACP is putting Lieberman,"

Neither can I .... DK has an impressive voting record - the others should take notice, (although someone told me recently that Reps aren't as busy as Senators and don't have as many conflicting interests) I'm an avid watcher of c-span, and many a day they suspend the rules to vote w/o quorum present.

[Freddie Stubbs]

3. Lieberman was a Freedom Rider back in the 60's

when it was dangerous for Northerners to travel the South fighing for equal rights for African Americans. You may not agree with many of his policies, but it cannot be disputed that he has earned his stripes helping the civil rights movement.

[Rainbowreflect]

4. I did not mean any kind of attack on Lieberman's civil rights record.

I just meant that Kucinich was doing his job. He wanted to speak at NAACP's convention, but the vote came first. To me that should not be viewed the same as scheduling an interview that could be done any time.

[Desertrose]

5. Yeah, I agree...since when does doing your job

qualify you as a copout or a no-show for heavens sake.

That is a bit ridiculous IMO.

How can these guys who on the one hand tell you how important it is they represent you in Congress & have these oh so important jobs, suddenly turn around & act like the actual voting is no big deal?? HELL-O?

Gotta give DK mega credit for wanting to do his job!

Peace

DR