Candidates Apologize to NAACP

In a political act of contrition, three Democrats apologized to NAACP convention-goers Thursday for bypassing a presidential forum.

Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Reps. Richard A. Gephardt of Missouri and Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio rearranged their schedules to appear before the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People gathering and say they were sorry. The three White House hopefuls had drawn the wrath of the nation’s oldest civil rights group when they skipped Monday’s forum, earning the description “persona non grata” from the NAACP’s leader.

At the start of the gathering Thursday, convention officials suspended the rules to allow the candidates five minutes “for the purpose of public apology and explanation.”

Kucinich, who missed the session for votes in the House, explained that he felt an obligation to vote on Medicare legislation.

“Now I’m here to let you know that while I have a 100% voting record, I’m also 100% for the NAACP,” he said.

Kucinich talked about his opposition to the war in Iraq and about the nation’s economic woes. Then the moderator goaded him into offering an official apology, saying: “We have heard the explanation. Does the congressman need to say something else?”

Replied Kucinich: “I’m very sorry I wasn’t able to be here, amazing grace, how sweet it is, once was lost, now I’m found.”

Gephardt then was introduced to the audience and quickly offered his regrets.

“I’m sorry I was not here when you had the joint appearance the other night,” he said. “I had a long-standing conflict that I could not get out of, and I apologize to all of you for not being here, and I thank you for letting me be here.”

Lieberman said that anyone who aspires to a leadership position, such as president, “must believe that the causes that he or she fights for, the stands he or she takes, the decisions he or she makes, are right.”

“That’s leadership,” he added. “But leadership also means being able to admit when you are wrong. And by not coming Monday, I was wrong. I regret it and I apologize.”

On Monday, six of the Democratic candidates attended the forum, sharing the stage with four empty chairs, each labeled with the name of a contender who did not attend -- Lieberman, Gephardt, Kucinich and President Bush.

On Thursday, President Kweisi Mfume said that the NAACP appreciated the spirit in which the Democrats apologized and “accordingly, we have accepted them,” but he added that that did not ensure their backing.