by Jill Zuckman
During his travels to places that Republicans seldom venture this week, Sen. John McCain returns to a subject he has talked about many times with reporters.
In Selma, Alabama this morning, McCain recalls the civil rights march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge led by Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), then a 25-year-old son of Alabama sharecroppers who was left with a permanent scar on his skull from a state trooper's baton.
McCain has spoken often of his admiration for Lewis when asked about the Civil Rights movement. And he has said he made sure that his children had the opportunity to meet Lewis and learn of his iconic role in that struggle.
"I've seen courage in action on many occasions in my life, but none any greater or used for any better purpose than the courage shown by John Lewis and the good people who marched for justice with him," McCain will say, according to prepared remarks. "All his life, John Lewis has believed in Dr. King's concept of the "beloved community;" a country 'not hateful, not violent, not uncaring . . . not separated, not polarized, not adversarial.' "
In America, McCain will stress, all things are possible and there should be no places left behind.
"This week, I will be traveling to places in America that aren't enjoying the prosperity many other parts of America enjoy, but where people are walking a long, hard road to make sure that their children will know the opportunities that other American children possess," McCain is expected to say.
"They are places that for too long suffered too many disadvantages, but where people of good character and stout hearts believe in the possibility of making the future better than the past, the essence of the American Dream."
McCain said he plans to listen and learn from voters about how government is helping them and holding them down.
"I'm not going to tell anybody about how government can make their choices for them, but how we can help grow our economy so that people have better choices to make for themselves," McCain will say.
Besides Alabama, McCain plans to visit Youngstown, Ohio, Appalachia and the lower 9th ward in New Orleans, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
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Comments
One thing that gets me is Lieberman is always right behind him on stage or at his right hand...wink wink subliminal message? Why aren't they in DC submitting legislation to take care of these problems NOW? Why wait???
Posted by: lochnessmonster | April 21, 2008 7:17 AM
No word yet on if Obama will be going to those small towns in Pennsylvania to contest the votes of "bitter" rural white people who cling to guns and religion.
A shot out to Youngstown, home of Ray "Boom-Boom" Mancini.
Posted by: Jeff | April 21, 2008 10:59 AM
McCain is discovering Black people all of a sudden. Amazing! He wants to bring them into the Republican party! Simply amazing! Of course he's always been on the same page of music as African Americans. Why, his opposition to the King holiday was just a dalliance to tease people and show his sense of humor.
Posted by: GW | April 21, 2008 11:51 AM
Jeff,
Why is being bitter a bad thing? Only a loser who likes losing would not be bitter. "The bitter taste of defeat is a great motivator." _Charlie Weiss
Posted by: jackson | April 21, 2008 11:52 AM
I think it's clear that unlike Bush McCain gets it. I think Obama will have a very hard time beating McCain, especially in places like Ohio. Obama will make McCain look delightful to Conservatives, just wait.
Posted by: Jay | April 21, 2008 11:53 AM
"All his life, John Lewis has believed in Dr. King's concept of the "beloved community;"
Unlike McCain who votoed against the MLK holiday.
Posted by: CAM | April 21, 2008 11:54 AM
Not saying it's good or bad, Jackson, just quoting the candidate. It'll be up to the individual voter to decide how he or she feels about being "bitter."
Posted by: Jeff | April 21, 2008 12:04 PM
Jeff, can you dis-respect people of color any more than this dribble? Responding to a story about race with this.
Geez, I wonder why people of color don't take the Repugnant Party seriously!
No word yet on if Obama will be going to those small towns in Pennsylvania to contest the votes of "bitter" rural white people who cling to guns and religion.
A shot out to Youngstown, home of Ray "Boom-Boom" Mancini.
Posted by: Jeff | April 21, 2008 10:59 AM
Posted by: Raving Loon | April 21, 2008 12:09 PM
Why isn't John McCain in DC, working on his Gas tax holiday legislation?
Come on Memorial Day isn't that far away, and it takes time to get legislation past.
If he doesn't get it going soon, people might start to think he wasn't serious about the proposal, and that it was just some election year pandering. That couldn't be the case. Could it?
Posted by: Lois | April 21, 2008 1:41 PM
"MR. 305 MILLION DOLLAR MAN SPEAKS"
Only on television, only in front of teleprompters.
We can't discuss Bush Policies and where they have taken America both home and foreign alike.
We are under "Executive Order" until we get "immunity" I was the "chairman" and my telecommunications policies that were lobbyied through me are coming back to haunt us and unless we get that "immunity" protection we can't get serious about protecting the companies that protected us.
We cannot discuss Bush Economics, because he like me is not versed in Economics.
We cannot discuss why I continue to flip flop on every measure that comes before me.
I cannot explain why I won't give back my endorsement of Rev Hagee, as his Church belongs in my State!
I cannot even begin to explain, my birth in Colo Solo Panama Canal Zone, that will be up to the Supreme Court, that is why I am pushing the other two on the other aisle to recognize me with a "NON BINDING" agreement, like all other non binding agreements that my party has entered into since September 11, 2001.
"SECRECY" is the key to our success. "SECRECY" is the key to all the PARDONS that I am being asked to extend.
Jack Ambramhoff really didn't exist and I know of no one who took a bribe!
So until let say October 1st, we just can't discuss things that are important to the American People.
BUT I GOT SLOGANS, AND THREE WORD METAPHORS THAT ARE ACTUALLY A COMPLETE SENTENCE!
Posted by: Roger Morris | April 21, 2008 6:08 PM