Several news reports this weekend highlighted a dearth of Republican congressional leadership at the 50th anniversary of the civil rights marches in Selma, Ala., though several high-profile Democrats were also absent from the event.
A march commemorating the historic “Bloody Sunday” civil rights struggle took place Saturday. Leaders from both political parties attended, including President Obama, former president George W. Bush, Minority House Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C.
Absent from the event were prominent 2016 presidential candidates from both major parties.
On the Republican side, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie; former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush; Texas Sen. Ted Cruz; Florida Sen. Marco Rubio; former Texas Gov. Rick Perry; former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee; South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham; and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker were all in Iowa. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky was in his home state.
Of the leading Democrats, presumed frontrunner Hillary Clinton was attending a speaking engagement in Florida. Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley was in New Hampshire, which, like Iowa is an early primary voting state. Neither Vice President Joe Biden nor former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb attended any public events that day.
Though their absence from Selma was marked by media reports in passing, headlines were devoted to Republican House leaders for choosing to bypass the occasion. (In fact, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was at the event.)
“Republican leaders skip Selma events,” read one headline by CBS News, which was updated Friday after McCarthy confirmed he would be present.
“GOP leaders to skip Selma event,” announced Politico‘s headline, also updated.
CNN.com reassured readers with “GOP leader headed to Selma after all.”
But top Capitol Hill Democrats also skipped the ceremony, including Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, who is recover from an eye injury; Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois; and Democratic Conference Vice Chair Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York.
Race relations in the U.S. have been in the spotlight throughout the last year after a series of reported violent confrontations involving white mostly police officers and unarmed black men. Republicans have struggled to win over minority voters in recent elections.
