Obama camp cites 'scheduling conflict' for NAACP convention no-show
Washington (CNN) - President Barack Obama's re-election campaign insisted a "scheduling conflict" is behind the president's decision to skip this year's NAACP convention.
"We declined a few weeks ago and [the] NAACP was pleased [Vice President Joe Biden] was able to attend," a campaign official told CNN.
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However, the president did make a brief appearance in a pre-taped video that ran before the vice president appeared.
"If you keep standing with me…I know we can arrive there together," the president said after delivering a few lines from his typical stump speech on helping middle class Americans.
While the president's schedule appeared to be wide open for Thursday–raising questions as to why his campaign cited "scheduling conflicts"–CNN confirmed Thursday morning that Obama and his wife, Michelle, are sitting down for an interview with CBS News.
The president also holds his daily briefing with senior aides and advisers.
Hilary Shelton, the NAACP Washington Bureau director and a senior vice president in the organization, said the White House never confirmed a visit.
“They were trying to work out something," Shelton said. As to why Obama could not attend, he added, "It was that something could not be moved. Something was crucial. And unfortunately, they couldn’t move it in a way they could get him here this week.”
Obama addressed the convention in 2009 and last year Michelle Obama spoke to the group.
The White House and Obama's re-election campaign have been hit with questions on the matter especially after presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney addressed the group Wednesday.
The former Massachusetts governor was booed during his remarks when he vowed to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Obama's signature health care law.
Biden is scheduled to deliver the keynote address Thursday at the annual convention in Houston, Texas.
Thursday is the final day of the five-day conference.
- CNN Political Reporter Shannon Travis contributed to this report
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That's okay – Romney showed up and President Obama believes in the OPPOSITE of what he has said that was negative!!!
Obama 2012 – The Only Trusted Way Forward!
Obama has sttod up for women's rights. He has come out with support for gays and same sex marriage. He has clearly supported the Hispanic population but I can't think of one significant thing he has done to support Blacks, nothing stands out as much as the other groups. If Obama were white, there is no way he would have the black vote. If they were strictly looking at his policies and based on how he has basically ignored the black community, they would not vote hot him. They are only supporting him because he is black. He could not care less about the black community... He's had 3 1/2 years and they're employment numbers are worse than ever.
I personally think the president needs to appear but I'll hold my comment until I find out more about this.
Willard Romney confirmed everything I thought about him today and I hope he gets everythng he deserves in November when the people of this country wake-up and toss him BACK inside his corporate jet where he belongs. What a laugh Willard had today at the expense of black Americans and I intend to have a laugh at him when the polls have closed and the president is re-elected.
Obama 2012 ALL THE WAY!
More of the same sorry but I can't make your meeting for the people who helped me get elected in 2008. How long has this meeting been scheduled not like it was yesterday.
One angry black person who will not make the same mistake twice no Obama in 2012.
Someone is speaking to the NAACP. I believe that is the point. If Obama had never done that, then it would be a problem.
Obama the no show even if he had showed up he wouldnt have said anything.He is a windbag all talk no action on what counts! He will try to pander his way back into office still blamin W for all his problems after 3 years!
Why cant everyone be frank and admit that Obama brushed off the NAACP. Simply said. If it were George Clooney or Jessica Parker, Obama would definately have made room in his schedule.
The president met with NAACP with his deed. He works for the betterment of the middle class
he fought for affordable care for middle class.
Romney vow to repeal it, folks at the NAACP boo him. He well deserves it. Romney does not connect to the ordinary people.
stark contrast with president.
He's got to got to a fundraiser to pull in money for negative ads against Romney. Just like he couldn't get to Wisconsin to help campaign for the dems nominee for governor despite being in the next state over because he simply wanted to raise money. Get a spine, prez.
What a snub, how rude, so he doesn't need the Black vote because he's got the Latino vote in his pocket??? Yes, I have Black relatives. Obama has gone out of his way to reach out to the Latino voters but he can't cancel whatever he has for the Black community???!!!! Obama had time to hang out with Marc Anthony in Miami Beach courting the Latino vote and Blacks will have to be satisfied with VP Biden? He can't show up for at least 20 minutes, say hello and leave? But in all reality, I looked at the unemployment numbers today for Blacks and it is pretty high and Obama hasn't done anything to lower their unemployment rate. Obama has ignored the Black communities, not the Latino community.
You mean to tell me Obama could not bump his "busy" fundraising schedule for the NAACP? Nice. And typical of liberal politicians. Take the African American vote for granted, Send surrogates to give lip service. And nothing changes. The wealthy white Mormon Republican candidate at least has the courage to show up.
If the African American community accepts this lame Obama excuse, Obama will truly be able to sell them any, and I mean any bill of goods. I guess it's true that people get the government they deserve.
Oh well, Obama dosn't always have time for pats on the back from the NAACP He needs some from his Hollywood friends too.
He doesnt have to show up. Romney already showed up and put his entire left leg in his mouth.
Ha!... He doesn't want to be associated with them....so he sends his court jester, BIden, to do a few tricks and keep them happy.
Ya....Obama is gonna lose big time....It's just a matter of HOW BIG!
No conflict, just arrogant and cocky. Thinks he has slam dunk with the black vote again. I sure hope people wake up and prove him wrong. And another reason he couldn't make it..........Bush's fault !!!
Here we go with the lies, AGAIN! Mr. Obama just knows HE's got the Black community in his back pocket. So, he does not need to honor them with HIS presence. You watch, once he feels that he has the Latino community in his other back pocket, HE will react exactly the same way.
AFTER ALL, HE HAD NO "USE" FOR THE LATINO COMMUNITY UNTIL THE 2012 ELECTIONS ROLLED AROUND.
I guess some people ARE STILL gullible.
I have yet to hear an apology to Mr. Romney from the NAACP. I, and thousands, maybe millions of other people are waiting!!! However, we will not hold our collective breath.
Can you imagine the reaction when the "Mouth" (Biden) speaks next.
Stay tuned...
Why waste time pandering to voters who are already in your pocket.
Already have THAT vote...
Send Joe Biden.
"I" need to MOVE FORWARD and pander in the swing states.
What would "I" say about 14% + un-employment anyway.
-> -> -> MOVING FORWARD -> -> ->
Keep dem on da government plantation !!!
Why not mention that Mitt Romney received several applauses during his speech and got a standing ovation when he was through.
It was a smart move on Obama's part to have Biden speak at the convention. If Obama were to speak at the convention (where he would get an overwhelmingly warm welcome) after Romney was booed, then it could be used against him (I can hear the Republicans pointing out the racial significance of Romney being booed and Obama getting cheers).
Romney came to the convention looking for boos. He's hoping this will show the right wingers that he's very conservative and he knew it would "racial" if he was booed and Obama was welcomed.
But, Biden is going to the convention. Biden will get a very warm welcome and the talking heads will now use this against Obama.
He is the POTUS. He does have a job to do.
as if the naacp wouldn't bend over backwards to defend obama. i am glad Mitt went and shame on those who say and booed him. you are more than welcome to disagree but what gives you the right to act like a two year old when some one says something you don't agree with? what happened to the civility obama asked for?
This story isn't a big deal. Conflicts come up. But I wonder what people like Sharpton would say if Romney had skipped the event.
Maybe he didnt want to face being booed by the NAACP for not following through on all of his own promises, and not going far enough on others?