Why did Bush decline 5 invitations to speak at the NAACP convention before his appearance today?

Question

its kind of obvious that he needs to make the republican party look more appealing to balck voters... but does that mean that his decision to speak today was purely political? does he really care about civil rights issues?

Answer 1

They would have booed him then.
Today they didn't boo him mostly out of deference for the office, which is respectable, in my opinion.

Answer 2

He heard that Kanye West might be there!

"George Bush does not care about black people."

I would have to say that there is some truth to this statement.

I just read more on this in the newspaper today. It looks like he had declined for the last five years because it wasn't on his political agenda. Blacks historically don't vote republican so I'm sure it was a "why bother" situation. A lot of presidents will try to look good at the end of their terms by patching things up with people they had clashed with during their 4 or 8 years in office. I also read the comments from most of the leaders of the NAACP that were in a attendance and they all seemed to chalk up his comments to rhetoric (the art of BSing in other words). He made no clear comments on how to help the black community instead saying things like "racism exists still" which to a crowd of blacks must sound like "the sky is blue." When Jessie Jackson approached him to arrange a meeting he was quickly past off to Karl Rove (one of Bush's henchmen) and Jackson noted that no real meaningful meeting has taken place or will take place between Bush and Jackson.

So I think Kanye's answer is the best answer here.

Answer 3

Could be the constant and vocal name-calling and rumor-spreading that the NAACP has done throughout his term in office? Could be that NO ONE has the right to expect someone to honor an organization that dishonors the highest office in the land. Could be that the political bias of this organization, and the constant undermining of our President and country has made them a bad risk for public appearances, since they're only going to use it as a way to attack him.


See what happens in the weeks to come. See how "nicely" they treat him for showing up. Go back and look at some of the trash they talked at him before they even asked him to speak the FIRST time!

Goodness sake, sometimes I think children are the only ones defending that organization.

"So what if I throw a fit and call you names, you owe me to take me to the movies anyway!"

Silly.

Answer 4

Because before his party was in full controll and he wanted to distance himself from appealing to a larger voting block. But now that it looks like Republicans are in for major losses in the mid-term elections Dubya is finally trying to gain whatever support he thinks he can get.

Answer 5

Sorry but majority of black people do not vote so it would be a waste of his time to do it....He is no longer up for re-election so he is trying to salvage his image now. He will do more "image" related things in the next 18 months so that he is not remembered as "the worst president ever".

NAACP is just one of many appearances he will make.

Answer 6

the NAACP is an organization that promotes victimization mentality among its followers. it wasnt until its leader recently advised that his followers need to get off their *** and take responsibility for themselves rather than relying on the government for hand outs or entitlements. that was a positive message and necessary message that Bush agreed with.

Answer 7

he needs to pump up the Republican party's image. Making the field fertile for the next presidential election for the Republican candidate.

Answer 8

Because they are mean. He spoke there in 2000 and then they later sponsored an ad that made some pretty outlandish comments.

Answer 9

in the words of Kanye West - Because George Bush hates black people.

Answer 10

'Cause Republicans weren't in this much trouble before.

Sending chimpy to act conciliatory won't help 'em though.....