John Conyers To McCain: "We're Not Just African Americans"

Rep. John Conyers excoriated Sen. John McCain today over his belated apology for voting against a holiday bill honoring Martin Luther King. Conyers himself authored the bill over 25 years ago when he and McCain were in the House together.

For Conyers, McCain's apology has come a little late. "It's incredible that all he can do is show up on April 4th and think that everything is OK. We're not just African Americans, but we're most people."

MSNBC's correspondent defended McCain, telling Conyers that the Arizona senator had just apologized for repeatedly voting against King's legacy. The comments prompted a sardonic response:

Conyers: Yea, well look. I'm happy. That was in 1983, he didn't make any apology, he didn't make any apologies in 1987, so I guess I'm thrilled and forgiving that finally when he's running for President he remembers to apologize. No, that's great.

Comments

[JamesRiddle]

10:38 AM on 04/06/2008

The most disturbing part of the affair is that McCain, being a bright man and not a complete Neanderthal, probably always respected King and realized all along that he was a courageous man. His negatve vote was just to appease his more conservative supporters. IMO that's the mark of a true dirtbag. Maverick my ass.

[GreenT2]

11:36 PM on 04/05/2008

Again, fix your headline please. He didn't say:

"It's incredible that all he can do is show up on April 4th and think that everything is OK. We're not just African Americans, but we're most people."

He said:

"It's incredible that all he can do is show up on April 4th and think that everything is OK with not just African Americans, but with most people."

[valleygent]

09:17 PM on 04/05/2008

I am a veteran and a caucasian, and I say that Martin Luther King and Rev. Wright had every right to condemn the United States for its atrocitiies in Vietnam and in Iraq. The U.S. is not beyond reproach. Those that condemn them today are wrapping themselves in the false patriotic flag of nationalism, just like Mussolini or Hitler. LBJ and GW Bush are two of a kind, Nixon was no better, they all murdered human beings in the name of the United States government including US Soldiers. Facism is alive and well in the USA, and it is called REPUBLICAN WAR MONGERING. Go ahead vote for more war, vote for McCain, I man with experience in dropping bombs on innocent civilians.

Vote War, Vote McCain in 2008

[NotEvenAmerican]

08:56 PM on 04/05/2008

Here am I, on the other side of the world, born after MLK was killed. However, I apparently know more about the Civil Rights Movement than McCain. This is the man who wants to lead you. The most amazing things to me is that McCain can vote against commemorating something TWICE whilst claiming that he didn't know what he was voting against.

He may care to use excuses and that would be semi-acceptable - excepting that the man is running for president.

While some say better late than never, like Anchor Barbie. This isn't just about forgiving and moving on. This is about how a man who would be a major influencer on the world - just look at what G. W. Weed has done, AND not done. He just didn't know.

Your country's influence over the rest of the world has a great deal of effect. I am curious as to who you will choose for your leader, but unlike you I have no choice. But it does affect us all.

Sure it's politics, but what bloody rubbish. As they say in my country "Oh McCain, you've done it again".

[hopelessobama]

05:42 PM on 04/05/2008

now will any member of the king family apologize for dr. king's hateful words against the troops while mccain was a POW? probably not, because they are all busy cheating on their wives like dear old dad!!!

[SoulSistah]

06:19 PM on 04/05/2008

MLK spoke truth to power when he spoke out against our foreign policy at that time. We lost a whole generation of men (black and white) during that war . . . and exactly, what did that war do for us? Don't hide your racism behind the American flag. A white sheet would be better.

[NotEvenAmerican]

11:44 PM on 04/05/2008

Why does a man have to be perfect to fight for tolerance for his fellow man? If McCain were fighting for the same things as MLK, equality, justice for everyman, and a battle against poverty - then it would be worth listening. Sadly, I don't see that in his other speeches.

What happened to McCain in Vietnam is appalling - let's take that individually. But magnify what is happening to each suffering person in American minorities over FORTY years after MLK was shot, what do you have but rank inequality.

So since you've put it on the table - find for me the speech in which MLK spoke hateful words against troops.

I challenge you to find one sentence that preaches hate against those who were sent to fight from your country, and from mine.

Your time starts.... NOW.

[syrupcore]

05:19 PM on 04/05/2008

To some of the well intentioned commenters: Honoring Dr King has little to do with race. His life wasn't about black and white — it was about right and wrong. It was about fighting the good fight against all odds. He was the sort of person we can all look up to - doesn't matter what you look like.

John McCain was wrong then and is wrong now. Sorry or not, that he continues to discuss Dr Kings legacy purely in terms of race only shows that he still doesn't get it.

[Neocon187]

03:56 PM on 04/05/2008

The headline of this thread is a misquote.

What John Conyers actually said in the video while referring to John McCain's vote against the MLK holiday is: "It's incredible that all he can do is show up on April 4th and think that everything is OK -WITH not just African-Americans, but with most people."

[schatsie]

03:42 PM on 04/05/2008

I sure agree with Conyers, maybe it is time to call these dimestore americans the Euro-Americans and leave American to the Real Americans... Bet he would love that....

[Jasel]

03:36 PM on 04/05/2008

I think some people are missing the point. I seriously doubt McCain was trying to get African-American votes. The vast majority (over 90%) vote Democratic. The ones who are Republicans will either have to vote for McCain the Republican nominee, someone else, or no one. And it doesn't matter because their numbers are so small I daresay it's a waste of time for Republicans to actually reach out to them (at this point in time).

This is about not looking bad and possibly LOSING votes he has. McCain isn't trying to appease black citizens as much as he's trying to look good for white ones. Most blacks I've noticed think he's full of crap. The whites I've seen talk about it have a much more mixed reaction and most of it seems neutral/positive. And these are Democrats I'm talking about.

McCain isn't stupid but at the same time I can't believe how many people out there can't see right through him.

[seenitall]

03:35 PM on 04/05/2008

McCain got what he deserved for his opportunistic apology...pathetic. I like Conyers.

[MsLiz]

03:20 PM on 04/05/2008

McCain didn't care about African American voters because there are so few of them in Arizona. Only two cities in Arizona have as much as 5% AA population, and some cities have 0% AA population.
http://www.idcide.com/lists/az/on-population-african-american-percentage.htm

[Raymondf]

03:09 PM on 04/05/2008

Trivial critisism, that want hurt McCain, if anything it will help.

[Neocon187]

03:44 PM on 04/05/2008

You're probably right: considering McCains constituency, voting against the MLK holiday probably will help him.

[BlueStateMan]

03:48 PM on 04/05/2008

Yes.... by pandering to his racist base.. like you.

Ignoramus.

[FreedomCorpse]

02:52 PM on 04/05/2008

John Conyers, for crying out loud, McSame is campaigning....what do the majority of politicians do when they are campaigning? Lie thru their teeth to win. I remember the Democrats saying things like "We have the power of the purse" blah, blah, blah ....so what do they do, they get voted in and give the purse to Bush.
John you also wrote articles of impeachment against this administration before the democrats took a majority and wrote about it....remember? What has happened since then? NOTHING. Subpoena's to Rove and Meyers....nothing happens.
What do you think would happen to democrats if bush starts engaging his signing statements or executive orders because of staged 'some unforseen event'? MLK would have been disgusted with McCain, the GOP and the democratic party if he was with us today, I know I am

[VA2008]

02:49 PM on 04/05/2008

Dwell in the past and it can eat you alive.....forgive people for their stupidity and narrowmindedness and celebrate those of us who welcome equality for all!



Talking about criminal deeds of the past by any race serves no one. It just ignites hatred and anger i.e. Rev. Wright. Those were Rev. Wright's words not Obama's words so why is everyone blaming Obama for someone's elses thinking or oratory?



The past teaches us lessons. It's called history and we should use those lessons to make sure that history doesn't allow us to stop in time or repeat it if it infringes on our liberty or freedom. Judge not lest ye be judged.......that's my motto.

[BlueStateMan]

03:50 PM on 04/05/2008

One's actions in "the past" is how we JUDGE one TODAY.

We must NEVER forget, lest we repeat the injustices of the past tomorrow.

[VA2008]

11:48 PM on 04/05/2008

So I guess you agree with my last paragraph? I'll leave the judging to you. Who am I to judge?

[Erdgeist]

02:35 PM on 04/05/2008

McCain is a nationalist (natio = race) and not a patriot (patriota: fellow-countryman). Indeed, McCain stands up for the white race and values which exclude non-whites. A patriot, on the other hand includes all, regardless of race. A patriot demands liberty and just for all--not just whites.