MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Three Democrats apologized to the NAACP convention Thursday for skipping a presidential forum earlier in the week as the candidates sought to mend fences with the nation's oldest civil rights group.
NAACP leaders had lambasted the three -- Joe Lieberman, Dick Gephardt and Dennis Kucinich -- as "persona non grata" for failing to show for Monday's session. Determined to repair the political damage, the three changed their campaign schedules to offer their contrition to the convention delegates.
"Anyone aspiring to leadership -- particularly the president of the United States -- must believe that the causes that he or she fights for, the stands he or she takes, the decision he or she makes are right," said Lieberman, the Connecticut senator. "That's leadership. 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."
Kucinich, who missed the session Monday for votes in the House, said he felt an "an obligation to be there to protect the interests of the American people to try to keep Medicare from being privatized. Now I'm here to let you know that while I have a 100 percent voting record, I'm also 100 percent for the NAACP."
The Ohio congressman spoke about his opposition to the war against Iraq and the need to rebuild the economy. Following his five-minute speech, the moderator goaded him to offer an official apology, saying: "We have heard the explanation, does the congressman need to say something else?"
Kucinich replied: "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 was then 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," the Missouri congressman and former House Minority leader 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."
He received applause. Gephardt then stressed the need to ensure voting rights for every American, maintain affirmative action and build a better health care system.
On Monday, the other Democratic candidates shared the stage with four empty chairs, each labeled with the name of a contender who did not attend -- Lieberman, Gephardt, Kucinich, and President Bush.
"If you expect us to believe that you could not find 90 minutes to come by and address the issues affecting our nation, then you have no legitimacy over the next nine months in our community," NAACP President Kweisi Mfume told the convention Monday. "In essence, you now have become persona non grata.
Your political capital is the equivalent of Confederate dollars."
Black voters are an important constituency in Democratic primary politics, but Mfume has warned that their support should not be taken for granted. His rebuke came despite the support that all three lawmakers have given to the NAACP's causes in Congress.
Bush attended a National Association for the Advancement of Colored People convention during his 2000 presidential campaign but hasn't been to one since taking office. White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said earlier that the president's busy schedule prevents him from accepting all the invitations he receives.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, scheduled to address the convention Thursday, said Bush's absence was more notable than the three late-arriving Democrats. "This is preseason. The focus should be on George Bush," Jackson said.
