Posted on 07/11/2004 5:52:10 PM PDT by sandlady
YORK, Pa. - President Bush said Friday that he declined an invitation to speak to the NAACP's convention in Philadelphia because of harsh statements about him by leaders of the venerable civil rights group.
''I would describe my relationship with the current leadership as basically nonexistent,'' Bush told reporters. ``You've heard the rhetoric and the names they've called me.''
Bush added that he ''admired some'' NAACP leaders and said he would seek members' support ``in other ways.''
The decision not to speak was a far cry from candidate Bush's appeal to the NAACP four years ago when he conceded at its convention in Baltimore that Republicans hadn't always gotten along with the group.
`NOT ALWAYS ALLIES'
''The NAACP and the GOP -- have not always been allies, I know that,'' Bush said then. ``But recognizing our past and confronting the common future with a common vision -- by doing that, I believe we can find common ground.''
They haven't. NAACP President Kweisi Mfume is to respond to Bush's comments today at a news conference.
It's the fourth straight year that Bush has declined an invitation to attend the NAACP convention, which opens today in Philadelphia. He's the first sitting president since Herbert Hoover not to address the group.
White House officials initially said scheduling conflicts prevented Bush from making the journey to Philadelphia or addressing the conference via satellite, as he did Thursday to the League of United Latin American Citizens convention in San Antonio, Texas.
Administration officials traveling with the president on Friday on a campaign swing through south-central Pennsylvania signaled that White House annoyance with the NAACP was the major factor.
REASON REVEALED
''The current leadership of the NAACP has certainly made some rather hostile political comments about the president over the past few years,'' White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.
NAACP Chairman Julian Bond, speaking to lawmakers and business leaders in Indiana last month, said Bush and other Republicans appeal to a racist ``dark underside of American culture.''
''They preach racial equality but practice racial division,'' Bond said.
``Their idea of equal rights is the American flag and Confederate swastika flying side-by-side.''
On Thursday, Mfume accused the Bush administration of treating the black community cynically by courting the black vote while stiffing black organizations like the NAACP.
''We're not fools,'' he said.
McClellan said the Bush administration has been courting African-American voters through its political agenda. When Bush talks about his ''No Child Left Behind'' education program, he often speaks about eliminating the ''soft bigotry of low expectations'' that minority children experience in public schools. Bush received only 9 percent of the black vote in 2000.
Worden reports for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
''They preach racial equality but practice racial division,'' Bond said.
The first time I read this, I thought it was directed toward the NAACP.
Me too!!
I think he's realizing how he's lead the NAACP into irrelevancy. Desperation is not pretty.
Well it is about time Bush told the truth on this matter, the NAACP is nothing more than a bought and sold wing of the Democrat Party. Democrats run it and Bond has made damn sure during his reign of terror that black Republicans have no place in the leadership.
''We're not fools,'' he said.
Good for Bush. The NAACP is totally irrelavent to me and plenty of other black people. There is no need to appeal to the NAACP.
''We're not fools,'' he said.
Yes, Queasy, you are. This President is reaching out to blacks without your outdated politics of class warfare and making everything a racial issue. The game is ending, Queasy, and you're going to be on the losing side. Your rhetoric is old, and your politics are cold.
Lunacy!
"We're not fools".
Debatable point.
Why can't Mfume realize that when the President speaks he speaks to ALL Americans. Does he expect special (ie unequal) treatment?
Really?
The Klan with a tan the NAALCP has always cared ONLY for the Commie-Pinko RATS and not real people:Clarence Thomas,Colin Powell, Condi Rice,and all the other members of the GOP.
---On Thursday, Mfume accused the Bush administration of treating the black community cynically by courting the black vote while stiffing black organizations like the NAACP.
''We're not fools,'' he said.---
Where's the proof? :^)
The race baiting racist NAACP can't resist waving the flag. After all, it gets their group attention and a false sense of purpose.
"Colored people" should include anybody with a skin tone significantly different from the U.S. majority, whatever that is. That population takes in a LOT of people the NAACP doesn't care about or represent.
A name change is in order for the organization.
True--context would help here. I agree he is right to forego the speech. They are absolutely hating it, though.
This is unfortunate and proof positive that equality is not a true goal.
The librats only wanted a soundbite to use against him. And the media was more than willing to assist. It was a trap.
It's that simple.
Good for him! I'm so glad he is not pandering to those who so openly despise him.
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