Chimp Meets w/NAACP, Mfume understanding of preznit's 'humiliation'

[Sparkly]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=544&ncid=703&e=4&u=/ap/20041221/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_naacp

Bush Holds First Meeting With NAACP

By JENNIFER LOVEN, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - President Bush (news - web sites) met Tuesday at the White House with the outgoing head of the NAACP, the first meeting of his presidency with the nation's oldest civil rights group.

"It was a very frank and a very open dialogue," NAACP President Kweisi Mfume told reporters afterward. "We both have real differences."

(snip) My favorite part:

As for Bush's previous snubs of the group, Mfume said he partly understood the president's explanation.

"He was concerned not so much about any potential humiliation of himself, but protecting the office of the presidency from any sort of humiliation that might have occurred," he said. "I think he does have some validity in the fact that protecting the presidency from public humiliation, whether it's he or someone else, as president, is important."

I love Mfume's gracious yet razor-sharp remarks... Was Chimp afraid of being humiliated? Nah, just concerned that the (inevitable, expected, deserved, unavoidable) humiliation would be bad for the *office* of the presidency... Other than that, surely the brave preznit could have handled the humiliation... HaHA!!! :D Excellent statement from Mfume!

[DireStrike]

1. Yes... Mfume sounds like a smart guy

Good job, Kweisi! :)

[journalist3072]

2. Kweisi Mfume

I loved his comments! He basically kicked Bush in the kabooz with a smile!!!!!!

[DS1]

3. Humiliation of meeting with black people?

What am I missing here?

[Sparkly]

4. Humiliation from their "frank and open dialogue" about their "differences"

In other words, the Chimp has had a confrontation (smackdown) coming for a long time, and he was afraid to face it.

[DS1]

6. Ah, okay

Too bad he's probably already forgotten about it by now

[journalist3072]

5. Bush and Blacks

This meeting with Mr. Mfume brings to mind a meeting Bush had with the Congressional Black Caucus.

Since Bush has been in office, he has met with the CBC a total of 2 times---whew, that's hard work, ain't it?

Anyway, members of the CBC basically showed up at the White House and demanded that Bush meet with them about the situation in Haiti, and they said they weren't leaving until they got their meeting.

One of the members of the CBC (I forget who) was wearing a button with Barack Obama's name on it, in support of his Senate candidacy. Bush thought the button had Osama bin Laden's name on it, and he did a double take. The CBC member explained that no, it said Barack Obama, and explained that he was a Senate candidate.

You would think Bush knew there was an open Senate seat, and who the candidates for that seat were.

[genieroze]

7. I'm surprised * can go potty without Rover's help.

Edited to add

Lord knows he can't remember to zip his own zipper.

[Sparkly]

8. What I wouldn't give to see my woman Maxine Waters have a chance

to say anything she wanted to the Chimp. I have a feeling that would be a smackdown to end all smackdowns.

[journalist3072]

10. Maxine

You know it! I love Maxine Waters because she is not afraid to speak truth to power. She tells things like they are.

There are a lot of political cowards out there, and she isn't one of them. I wonder if she ever considers running for the Senate? I'd love to see her move over to the Senate.

[Sparkly]

12. 2000: "I don't CARE if it's not signed by a senator!!"

I agree. She's fearless in speaking her mind.

[journalist3072]

13. I absolutely loved it when she said that!!!!!! She was brilliant!

[Maccagirl]

14. I've heard about the "Obama" button

and Bush's reaction to it (at first). When the lady explained that he was a candidate from Illinois Bush said (dismissively) "Never heard of him". The lady said she looked him in the eye and replied "You will". Love that story.

[journalist3072]

15. It really shows his ignorance, and his lack of thirst for knowledge.

[MisterP]

16. "Oh, I thought it said 'Osama.'"--stupid chimp

[AlinPA]

9. ?? I heard on WGN News (Chicago) that Mfume wrote a letter of

congratulations to Bush** for the election result and was then invited to the White House. Then the reporter said the reason Mfume stepped down was because the NAACP was unhappy about Mfume's congratulating Bush**.

[Sparkly]

11. No, those are separate things

AFAIK, there's no cause/effect there with Mfume's resignation. He did send a diplomatic letter requesting the meeting, but I don't think there was any connection between that and his resignation. It's not unusually for people to be politically cordial in these things.

(I'm hoping he's going to run for Senate in Maryland! Or even mayor of Baltimore when O'Malley runs for governor... I'd be happy to see Mfume in any elected office here.)

[AlinPA]

17. I wish he would have stayed as a rep in Md, we need every seat.

[freestyle]

19. He was succeeded by a Dem. It's a very safe district.

If Sarbanes doesn't run again, Kweisi would be a very good Senator. As much as I would love to not have O'Malley as mayor anymore, I think Doug Duncan would be a far better governor. Just one Baltimorean's opinion.

[msgadget]

18. What am I missing here?

Mfume accomplished nothing more than face time with the president. There were no apologies for running from the the staid NAACP as if it was a group of rabid black dogs out to embarass the nation. Why is no one pointing out the hypocricy of this man for meeting after the election and after putting a few good colored folk in his cabinet?

Edit: spelling