Leiberman, Gephardt, Kucinich declared persona non grata by NAACP pres.

[killbotfactory]

NAACP president assails three candidates who skipped forum

Mfume lashed out at the three during a speech to about 1,000 gathered for the NAACP's convention. Each time Mfume mentioned their name an organmaster played a death knell chord.

"In essence, you now have become persona non grata," he said. "Your political capital is the equivalent of confederate dollars."

The crowd responded to his condemnation with applause and then a chorus of "oooo" at the mention of confederate money.

<...>

"If you expect us to believe that you could not find 90 minutes to come by and address the issues affecting our nation, then you have no legitimacy over the next nine months in our community," he said to applause from the delegates.

That's harsh.

[OKNancy]

1. Yeah..I noticed that Kerry and Edwards

are now going. That's good.

[Desertrose]

2. Kucinich is staying in DC for a vote

he has a job....that he takes seriously.....100% voting record.....

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/6291857.htm
"Kucinich had initially planned to attend but told NAACP officials that he wanted to be in Washington for a vote instead."

Guess that doesn't count....???
....be nice if he could campaign 24/7, wouldn't it?

Peace
DR

[Mairead]

3. Right on, DR. I think Mfume was being a bit unrealistic

in implying that the round trip from DC can be done instantaneously. I suspect spending 90 minutes in Miami Beach would have meant spending most of the rest of the day travelling.

It is a pity Dennis didn't feel he could go, though. I hope the votes were worth it.

[killbotfactory]

5. What vote is he staying in Washington for?

The article says that, but doesn't say what he's voting on.

[Freddie Stubbs]

6. The Agriculture Appropriations bill

Plus three noncontroversial bills and a proceedural vote on the Medicare prescription drug bill.

http://majoritywhip.house.gov/whippost.asp?date=7/14/2003

[JohnKleeb]

8. I thought that was the case

Its ok Dennis I support the NAACP and forgive you. You got a damn good voting record sir.

[UnapologeticLiberal]

25. Yeah, I think the NAACP is being unfair to him

and to Gephardt, if he really had an important family commitment. They have a right to be outraged at Lieberman, since he was off campaigning somewhere else, but I don't think they should use that as the sole way to cast a judgment on him and overlook his history of activism in the civil rights movement. I can understand why the NAACP was offended by the no-shows, but I thought they were overreacting a little bit, and I agree that they should not be holding it against Kucinich that he is in DC doing his job.

[chimpymustgo]

4. I am bothered by Mfume's grandstanding on this.

I do think the candidates should attend the forum, but the NAACP should definitely respect DK's devotion to his current JOB.

[dsc]

7. Kucinich has a good reason not to attend

and that should be honored. What I find really disturbing is the 'informal' agreement between Kerry, Lieberman, Gephardt, and Edwards to only 6 joint appearences. That seems a transparent attempt to run a joint incumbency strategy.

On edit I emailed the NAACP Washington Buerau which was the only email I could find.

[JohnKleeb]

9. thanks DSC for respecting his decision

I know you are for Dean obviously but I am glad you respect our guy too we mostly like Dean too.

[dsc]

10. He is my former representative

and I still consider him an adopted rep. My district is a republican one. I am going to the heart of his district tonight for a Stonewell Democrats meeting. President Dean and Representative Kucinich as chair of the Armed Services Committee works for me.

[gottaB]

11. joint encumbency strategy

What you said.

Where did you find that language? Is there a precedent for this sort of thing?

[dsc]

12. I made it up

that is why I used seems to be rather than is. As to precedent I have no idea.

[gottaB]

13. cool

For the phrase "joint encumbency" a precedent does exist in Sri Lankan Buddhist Ecclesiastical law:

"The office of adhikari is however single and indivisible. He is indeed primus inter pares but his rule is. monarchical. The office cannot be held jointly and consequently there is no such thing as `share in an incumbency'. As was said by Pereira J in Dhammajothi v. Sobita'the idea of a joint incumbency can hardly be entertained'. An adhikari may it is true nominate all his pupils to succeed him but they can only succeed one at a time."

--Bertram, C.J. arguing in Saranankara Unanse v. lndajothi, if I'm not mistaken. Also see Danture Unanse v. Government of Ceylon.

:silly:

[kayell]

14. DENNIS AND THE NAACP EVENT

from http://www.kucinich.us/

Kucinich supporters have asked why the Congressman didn't attend the NAACP candidates' forum in Miami on Monday afternoon. He couldn't attend because the forum conflicted with his responsibilities as a voting member of Congress, and there were key Medicare votes late yesterday in the House.

When there have not been conflicts with Capitol Hill duties, Dennis has repeatedly attended candidates' forums held by civil rights and equal rights groups, including ones organized by the NAACP and the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition. (The Rainbow forum was on a Sunday.) Dennis has shined at these events, because he is a fighter for civil rights -- as he's shown year after year on Capitol Hill through his leadership role in the Congressional Progressive Caucus. It's Dennis who is leading the fight to abolish the racially-biased death penalty.

Due to conflicts with his Congressional duties, Rep. Kucinich recently had to miss a candidates' forum on the environment in Los Angeles and a "Democracy Rising" rally in Baltimore -- when Dennis stayed in Washington to vote against Medicare privatization, which passed by a single vote. Unlike other presidential candidates, he is a fulltime Congressperson who has not missed a vote so far this session.

Yesterday afternoon, our campaign released this statement to the media: "Congressman Kucinich has the utmost respect for the NAACP, its leadership, its members and its mission. He regrets his absence from this afternoon's candidates' forum. His duties as a member of the United States House of Representatives required that he be in Washington today for votes. Important votes are scheduled on Medicare prescription drugs and agriculture spending. Congressman Kucinich strongly believes that it is wrong to campaign across the country on the issue of expanding healthcare coverage and then miss one of the most important healthcare votes in years."

This afternoon, Congressman John Conyers, a leader in the Congressional Black Caucus, issued a statement about Kucinich and the NAACP, that reads in part: "Congressman Kucinich, Chairman of the Progressive Caucus in the Congress, and one of the most exciting candidates seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, was missing because at the exact same time a critical vote concerning prescription drugs for seniors took place. Had the Congressman made the panel, he would have missed the vote. I can understand the frustration felt by the NAACP, not being able to question and hear Congressman Kucinich, but let us not forget that he has an exemplary record when dealing with issues facing the African American community."

[RogueTrooper]

15. So let me recap

Lieberman, Edwards, Kerry and Gephardt all form a little pact, to protect themselves from Howard Dean. I am sure those four good old boys can dress this decision up to sound noble but facts are facts; they are running scared of Dr. Dean.

Edwards and Kerry suddenly find that, would you believe it, they can make the event. People, with scurrilous intent, might suggest that losing their nerve might be the reason that they could both be seen scuttling down to Florida. This reminds of some votes they both cast a while back...

I am sure Liebernam and Gephardt are so happy with Kerry and Edwards right now.

I hope the NAACP lay of Kucinich. He, alone, should not be included in their scorn. He is a good and decent man who was fullfilling his duties as a congressman.

[buddhamama]

16. thank you,Rogue

it is true what you say, DK is a decent man and he was doing his duty. Thank goodness too because some important Bills were voted on.

[RogueTrooper]

17. Indeed they were

[dsc]

20. Depending on what the conflict was

Gephardt may also be in the clear.

[dsc]

21. Depending on what the conflict was

Gephardt may also be in the clear.

[dsc]

22. Depending on what the conflict was

Gephardt may also be in the clear.

[CMT]

18. have to say that I respect DK's reasoning but Lieberman...

in NY to appear on Bill O'Reilly's show!! cmon that blow hard is more important than doing the NAACP--I don't think so. It is a shame too becuz Lieberman has an outstanding civil rights record.

[GreenPartyVoter]

19. Rep. Conyers goes to bat for Dennis Kucinich

"While the absence of Congressman Dennis Kucinich at the 94th Annual NAACP Convention in Miami, Florida was regrettable, he should still be given an opportunity to present his presidential views to the delegates of the NAACP, and not be counted out of the race.

Congressman Kucinich, Chairman of the Progressive Caucus in the Congress, and one of the most exciting candidates seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, was missing because at the exact same time a critical vote concerning prescription drugs for seniors took place. Had the Congressman made the panel, he would have missed the vote. I can understand the frustration felt by the NAACP, not being able to question and hear Congressman Kucinich, but let us not forget that he has an exemplary record when dealing with issues facing the African American community.

As a life member of the NAACP myself, I respectfully request of President Mfume that Congressman Kucinich be interviewed to determine whether he merits the continued support of the NAACP, the oldest civil rights organization in this country."

[buddhamama]

23. thanks for posting that statement,GreenPartyVoter

[JohnKleeb]

24. Thanks GPV

I think if they listen to representive Conyers one of the most smart and good hearted congressmen they will understand. It will be nice if a well known representive like Conyers or John Lewis or someone else endorses DK.

[blm]

26. Dennis has alot of friends in the CBC...

There is no doubt he'll smooth things over. His campaign should have made things clear with the NAACP. Mfume certainly understands congressional votes.

Kerry was always going to the event. The only thing up in the air was the timing...whether he would speak on Sunday or Monday. So, those putting forth "conspiratorial plots" can go find another rock to look under.