NAACP 97th Annual Convention   ...6 of 6 >
"Voting our values, valuing our votes," July 15-20, 2006
July 20, 2006--NAACP president and CEO Bruce S. Gordon introduced President George W. Bush as he made his first presidential appearance before the group.  Bush prompted laughter and applause when he opened his speech stating that, "Bruce is a polite guy -- I thought what he was going to say, it's about time you showed up." 

Bush's tone was conciliatory.  "For too long my party wrote off the African American vote, and many African Americans wrote off the Republican Party," he stated.  "I want to change the relationship.  The America we seek should be bigger than politics.  And today I'm going to talk about some areas where I believe we can work together to reduce the obstacles for opportunity for all our citizens."  Specifically Bush focused on education, ownership, the faith based initiative, and HIV/AIDS.  Of particular concern for the audience was Bush's support for reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act.  "I look forward to the Senate passing this bill promptly without amendment -- so I can sign it into law," he stated to applause.  [transcript]  (reactions)

Photos
Panel with Senators. Kennedy, Clinton and Obama.
NAACP president and CEO Bruce Gordon, and chairman of the board Julian Bond.
Off to lobby on Capitol Hill.
Marching on Capitol Hill.
President Bush addresses the NAACP
Links
NAACP
H.R. 9 - Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006

 
Copyright © 2006  Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action