Every Top Republican Invited to MLK Anniversary Event Said No

[mota bhai 2,675]

Here’s a run-down of the top Republicans who were invited to the March on Washington anniversary event, and why they reportedly decided not to show.

* Former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush: It was notable that the two former presidents, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, who spoke at the event were both Democrats, with the Bushes nowhere to be seen. The 41st and 43rd president were both invited, but chose to decline because of health reasons. In a statement, George W. Bush said, “There on the National Mall our President, whose story reflects the promise of America, will help us honor the man who inspired millions to redeem that promise.”

* House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH): The top Republican in the House declined his invitation because of a scheduling conflict. He is currently in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and had no public events scheduled for Wednesday. Boehner did attend an official congressional commemoration of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech on July 31st.

* House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA): According to the Grand Forks Herald, Cantor spent Wednesday touring oilfields in North Dakota with Rep. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and meeting with the North Dakota Petroleum Council lobbying group.

* Senator John McCain (R-AZ): Despite having voted against making Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day a federal holiday in 1983, the event committee did invite McCain to speak, but he declined due to unspecified “scheduling conflicts.”

The Rev. Leah D. Daughtry, who served as executive producer of the commemoration, told the Washington Post’s O’Keefe that her committee began inviting members of Congress to attend four or five weeks before the event.

“We had a very concerted effort, because this is not a political moment. This was about us coming together as a community, so we wanted to be sure that we had all political representations,” Daughtry said. “We attempted very vigorously to have someone from the GOP participate and unfortunately they were unable to find someone who was able to participate.”

http://www.mediaite.com/online/every-top-republican-invited-to-mlk-anniversary-event-said-no/

[GandD 5,966]

They're still pissed about the civil rights movement huh?

Edited August 29, 2013 by GandD

[mota bhai 2,675]

They avoided it for the same reason they tell their hip hop lovin kids to avoid rap concerts.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

They're still pissed about the civil rights movement huh?

No, they heard there were black people there, and they couldn't go armed.

[RGinWA 816]

I love Republican's...so easy to read.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I love Republican's...so easy to read.

At least they can read, well, at least some of them.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Probably not a good move for a party that needs to be more welcoming to minorities. Oh well.

[Karee 4,191]

Why should they go? So they can get booed?

[Darnell 8,479]

I caught that list today on the Rev Al News TV Show.

OMG.

IMO, the Pubes should have all showed up. If'n they did, they might have swayed folksen to join the Party and start making changes the old fashioned way.

Oh well. 50th Anniversary? Who misses that, and still stays politically viable ?

Edited August 30, 2013 by Darnell

[Crashed~N2~Me 970]

Oh well. 50th Anniversary? Who misses that, and still stays politically viable ?

...It's a disgrace.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Nixon didn't go to Selma to kiss MLK's ring, probably beat Kennedy if the results were recounted today, and was elected in 1968 and reelected in 1972. But these are different times, so I would have advised the Republican leaders to go, because racism is not as popular as it was 50 years ago.

[Crashed~N2~Me 970]

Good opportunity to demonstrate - Oppose O but respect MLK. & then skip out on something associated with X to nail the point.