McCain MLK Holiday

On April 4, 2008, the 40th anniversary of the day Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, Presidential Candidate John McCain apologized for not supporting a state Martin Luther King Day holiday in Arizona. McCain explained that when he was a new congressman in 1983, he made a mistake voting against the federal holiday of Martin Luther King Jr. McCain was heckled after the comments. He said "We can be slow to give greatness its due" adding, "We can all be a little late in doing the right things", and went on to praise him.

1. Voted against making Martin Luther King Day a federal holiday in 1983
2. 89 republicans voted for holiday, 77 opposed
3. Signed into law by President Reagan in 1986
4. 1987 and 1989: opposed Arizona recognizing it as a state holiday

• Google Blog Search: McCain MLK Holiday

• The Huffington Post: McCain Booed At Martin Luther King Speech (April 4, 2008)

• Political Punch (ABC News): The Complicated History of John McCain and MLK Day (April 3, 2008)

• MotherJones Blog: McCain's Tricky History With the MLK Holiday (April 4, 2008)

• AlterNet: McCain's Dismal MLK Record Proves He Didn't Believe in King's Dream or Civil Rights (April 4, 2008)

• The Swamp: McCain's Memphis tribute to King (April 4, 2008)

• The Huffington Post: McCain's Memphis Visit Raises Past Opposition To MLK Day (April 1, 2008)

• Oliver Willis: John McCain Voted Against The Martin Luther King Day Holiday (April 3, 2008)

• The Democratic Party: McCain Spends MLK Holiday Pandering to the Far Right (January 17, 2007)

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• Topix.net: McCain MLK Holiday
• Google News: McCain MLK Holiday
• WashingtonPost.com: McCain Apologizes for Opposing MLK Holiday (April 4, 2008)
  • "I was wrong and eventually realized that, in time to give full support for a state holiday in Arizona," he said. "We can all be a little late sometimes in doing the right thing, and Dr. King understood this about his fellow Americans."
• Boston Globe: Mccain Admits Error on King Holiday (April 4, 2008)
• Los Angeles Times: Martin Luther King's Legacy Gains Candidates' Attention (April 4, 2008)
• Video: McCain: "I Was Wrong" to Vote Against MLK Holiday (Time: 4:26)