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Bush Pays Respects To MLKPresident's visit isn't well received by civil rights leaders though
"This was nothing more than a photo opportunity and a shameless attempt to cater to black voters," said the Reverend Al Sharpton, a candidate to unseat Bush in the November elections. "But black voters are smart enough to see it for what it is." In a related announcement, the White House has unveiled plans to release a campaign commercial featuring an actor portraying the Dr. King and emphasizing the President's strong support of civil rights, a move surely to further anger liberals. The President, who honored Dr. King last year by announcing his administration's opposition to the University of Michigan's affirmative action programs, topped off the day by re-nominating Charles Pickering to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Pickering, who proudly represents "old southern" values, has been denounced by civil rights activists for his positions on everything from women's rights to racial issues.
"It's a disgrace," said Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-Ill.). "Pickering is one of those right wing nuts he's been trying to fill up the courts with. To pull a stunt like this on Dr. King's day is a slap in the face." The White House, however, was quick to defend the President's actions. "The President owes a huge debt of gratitude to Dr. King," said White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan. "All Republicans do. If not for Dr. King pressing for the civil rights agenda, the South would still be voting Democrat. The Republicans became the party of the South when the Democrats threw their hats in the ring with the civil rights and turned their backs on what we like to call 'traditional' values." But, Representative Jackson clearly sees things differently. "Republicans cater to the bigots, which still thrive in large enough numbers in the South to elect Republicans," said the outspoken congressman. "It's an unfortunate but true fact." In addition to visiting Dr. King's grave and re-nominating Pickering, the President also raised $1.3 million for his re-election campaign at a $1,000 per plate dinner held in his honor. |
President Bush was in Atlanta this week, on a visit that coincided with the annual celebration of Martin Luther King Day. As a token of his appreciation to the slain civil rights leader, the President placed flowers on Dr. King's grave. As it turns out, the gesture has provoked rather than pacified civil rights activists, who see the Bush Administration as the primary foe of the rights Dr. King fought to protect.
Pickering had been nominated by Bush before only to have the nomination stalled in the Senate Judiciary Committee when it was controlled by Democrats. With Republicans in control of the Committee, he is expected to be passed to the full Senate, where he will no doubt run into difficulties. Democrats have successfully filibustered several of Bush's more extreme nominations.