Informed Speculation

He nailed it, says John Dickerson:

Bush kept at it, describing the country’s history for the audience in a way that would drive conservative talk-radio hosts to their prescription medications if a Democrat did it. Slavery placed a “stain on America’s founding, a stain that we have not yet wiped clean,” said Bush, before going on to compare African slaves to Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. “Too often [people] ignore another group of founders—men and women and children who did not come to America of their free will, but in chains. These founders literally helped build our country.” The tone was reminiscent of his visit three years ago to Goree Island, where African slaves were shipped to America. Bush also called the civil rights movement a second founding. (The Bush team reached out to several African-Americans for advice before the speech, including Al Gore’s former campaign manager, Donna Brazile, and it showed.)

Bush was at pains to show that while he may have disagreements with the NAACP, he wanted to engage it openly. Throughout the speech he paid careful tribute to audience members Jesse Jackson, former NAACP head Dr. Benjamin Hooks, and Bond. He was most solicitous of Gordon, who has met with Bush several times since Hurricane Katrina and is credited with repairing the relationship. “He doesn’t mince words,” said Bush before repeatedly expressing his respect for Gordon. “I don’t know if that helps you or hurts you, but it’s the truth. I admire the man.”

Bush was not going to win over many NAACP delegates to the Republican Party, a point emphasized when the audience erupted in approval to his admission: “I understand that many African-Americans distrust my political party.” The best Bush could hope for was to ease the animosity African-Americans feel for the GOP. After Hurricane Katrina, whatever small progress he and the Republican Party had made with black voters was erased. According to AP-Ipsos polling conducted in June and July, 86 percent of blacks disapprove of the way Bush is handling his job as president, compared with 56 percent of whites who disapprove. Angry voters turn out. If Bush lowered the boil, that can help Republicans.

The cavernous venue seemed the perfect place for cooling down anger. Windowless and draped from floor to ceiling in black curtains, it was a sanctuary in the city’s oppressive summer heat. The audience responded politely. The fundamental theme of the day was respect. Bush came to show it, and for his effort on that score he was given it.

Give the White House transcription service credit; they didn’t shy away from the most awkward moment:

I understand that many African Americans distrust my political party.

AUDIENCE: Yes! (Applause.)

I mean, really, that’s got to be worth some bonus points for honesty – the audience reaction could have been left out and it still would have been a perfectly valid transcript…