There were many accounts Monday of just what happened, but it appeared four candidates — Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, Gephardt, North Carolina Sen. John Edwards and Lieberman — agreed they would only appear together during the six debates being scheduled by the Democratic National Committee this fall.
Their feeling was there were too many such forums — June alone featured at least seven — forums that took time away from campaigning and fund-raising.
Mfume accused the four of ducking tough forums, and singled out Edwards for special criticism. A surge of black voters in 1998 was seen as propelling Edwards to his Senate victory.
Edwards Sunday night agreed to appear, and once he did, so did Kerry.
That left Lieberman, Gephardt and Kucinich as no-shows. Kucinich wanted to stay in Washington for House votes. Gephardt had a personal obligation, and Lieberman was in White Plains, N.Y., raising money.
That infuriated Mfume. "If you expect us to believe you could not find 90 minutes to come by and address the issues affecting our nation," he said, "then you have no legitimacy over the next nine months in our community."
| CTNow.com, David Lightman, "Lieberman Infuriates NAACP: Group's President Calls Candidates' Absence At Convention A Snub"
UPDATE: Prometheus 6 notes Kucinich's explanation (also posted today at his campaign site, under "Dennis in Action")
posted in articles on July 15, 2003 6:57 PM | t (0)
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