Gov. Rick Perry, seen skinnin’ and grinnin’ with Black preacher supporters in Houston the week before, was nowhere in sight at last week’s national NAACP convention in Houston. That Perry was a no-show was a surprise to many.

After all, it would have been a chance to reach out to African-Americans in general and African-American voters in particular. Perhaps Perry was frightened away by the remarks made about his predecessor and political ally George W. Bush.
In his opening remarks, to thunderous applause and laughter, NAACP Chairman Julian Bond said, “Texas grows presidents, from the mighty oak of LBJ to the Bushes.” The following day, a greetings letter that was read aloud from Bush to the convention was met with barely tepid applause.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson said, “This George W. Bush and (attorney general) John Ashcroft combination is the most threatening combination in our lifetime.” Jackson also poked fun at Bush’s speech habits when he said Bush’s comparison to the U.S. Supreme Court decision on vouchers and the historic Brown vs. the Board of Education was “unliterate.”
NAACP President and CEO Kwesi Mfume hailed the voucher decision as “Robin Hood in reverse” and criticized Bush for his failure to meet with leaders of the 93-year-old civil rights organization. Mfume also gave the state an “F” when the NAACP released its report card on election reform.

Perry would have had to have been a brave man to have walked into the George Brown Convention Center in that climate. He was nowhere to be found.
(Martin is a freelance columnist living in Austin.)