MIAMI BEACH - Three Democrats apologized to the NAACP convention Thursday for bypassing a presidential forum.
Joe Lieberman, Dick Gephardt and Dennis Kucinich appeared before the NAACP gathering and said they were sorry. The three drew the wrath of the civil rights group when they skipped Monday's forum, earning the description "persona non grata" from the NAACP leader.
At the start of the gathering Thursday, convention officials allowed the candidates five minutes "for the purpose of public apology and explanation."
Kucinich explained that he felt an obligation to vote on Medicare legislation in the House. "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 said.
The moderator later goaded him into offering an official apology, saying: "We have heard the explanation, does the congressman need to say something else?"
Replied Kucinich: "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 then was 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."
Lieberman told the audience that anyone who aspires to a leadership position, such as president, "must believe that the causes that he or she fights for, the stands he or she takes, the decisions he or she makes are right."
"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," said the Connecticut senator and 2000 vice presidential nominee.
On Monday, six of the Democratic candidates attended the forum, sharing the stage with four empty chairs, each labeled with the name of a contender who did not attend - Lieberman, Gephardt, Kucinich and President Bush.
On Thursday, NAACP President Kweisi Mfume said the organization appreciated the spirit in which the Democratic hopefuls apologized and "accordingly we have accepted them," but he said that did not ensure their backing.
Jesse Jackson, who addressed the convention Thursday, said the apologies were "overplayed at the expense of our real problem today" and criticized Bush.
