CNN Guest: Why Should ‘Appointed’ Sen. Tim Scott Have Been Invited to MLK Anniversary?

A panel discussion on CNN’s The Lead examined the impact that Wednesday’s speeches and celebrations surrounding the 50th anniversary of the civil rights movement’s march on Washington D.C. When asked why so few Republicans attended the rally and none spoke, the panel displayed a surprising lack of knowledge as to why that was the case. When asked why Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), the only sitting African-American U.S. Senator, was not invited to speak, one guest displayed a measure of disdain for the “appointed” Senator.

A discussion about the impact of the Martin Luther King Jr. “I Have a Dream” speech anniversary event veered into politics when the guests began to wonder why so few Republicans attended the event and none spoke.

National Public Radio host Michel Martin wondered why former President George H. W. Bush, whom she said “had a very strong record on civil rights,” was not in attendance at the Anniversary. Both Bush and his son, former President George W. Bush, declined to attend due to the former president’s ongoing recovery from a recent surgery.

When asked why the only sitting black senator in the upper chamber of Congress was also not in attendance, USA Today columnist DeWayne Wickham said there was no real reason for him to be there in the first place.

“And he should have been invited why?” Wickham asked. “He should have been invited to speak for what reason?”

“He’s one of 50 Senators,” Wickham said. “And he’s appointed not elected.”

Scott said that he was not invited to speak, but added that the day should be about remembering MLK and Rep. John Lewis (D-GA). And there are 100 U.S. Senators.

Watch the clip below via CNN:

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