Contrite Democrats make amends with NAACP

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Three Democratic presidential candidates labeled “persona non grata” in the black community for failing to attend an NAACP forum apologized yesterday to tepid applause on the final day of the civil rights group’s 94th annual convention.

Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio delivered a six-minute speech on his candidacy and his support for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, but was insufficiently contrite for some members.

The presiding parliamentarian refused to allow Mr. Kucinich to leave the stage, and said, “We have heard the explanation. Does the congressman need to say something else?”

Mr. Kucinich quickly took back the microphone with a smile and said, “I’m very sorry I wasn’t able to be here. Amazing grace, how sweet it is; once was lost, now I’m found.”

Rep. Richard A. Gephardt of Missouri and Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut also apologized for failing to attend Monday’s forum to a half-empty hall at the Miami Beach Convention Center. An enthusiastic audience had greeted the party’s six other candidates three days earlier.

Mr. Lieberman said that “by not coming Monday, I was wrong. I regret it and I apologize for it. Particularly the NAACP. I respect what you do beyond words.”

Mr. Gephardt was similarly humble, apologizing almost as soon as he took the stage.

“I’m sorry I was not here when you had the joint appearance the other night. I had a long-standing conflict that I could not get out of, but I apologize to all of you for not being able to be here, and I thank you for letting me be here today.”

On Monday, NAACP President Kweisi Mfume told the three white candidates not to expect the support of black voters, about 90 percent of whom vote Democratic, because they did not attend the forum. He called them “persona non grata.”

The candidates were allowed to speak at the convention’s plenary session under the condition they not use the opportunity to make a campaign speech.

“We have suspended our rules to try to accommodate those who would not come before us after we invited them,” said Roslyn Brock, vice chairman of the NAACP’s board of directors.

She invited each member to offer “an apology and an explanation not to exceed five minutes.”

Each presentation was filled with hearty references to the causes the NAACP has touted all week: universal health care, affirmative action and pummeling the Bush administration.

During his appearance, Mr. Lieberman vowed to “continue the struggle,” a phrase used by virtually every black civil rights crusader.

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