Urban Bush League II

Someone asked me how the Urban League speech went for Bush. They pointed out the speech at the White House page had lots of applause peppered throughout, and took that as a good sign for him. The Boston Globe reports it was "tepid" at best:

One day after warmly greeting Bush's Democratic opponent in the presidential race, John F. Kerry, audience members met Bush with tepid applause and sat impassively as the applause lines in his modified stump speech fell flat. Many sat with their arms crossed, staring straight ahead or shaking their heads as the president ran through a list of African-Americans he appointed and pointed to legislation he believes will be of particular benefit to blacks.

An awkward quiet had settled over the hotel ballroom when the Republican president, who got less than 10 percent of the black vote in 2000, stirred things up by telling the audience he wanted them to support his reelection, a request that drew looks of incredulity and murmurs of surprise.

"I know, I know," Bush said. "The Republican Party's got a lot of work to do. I understand that."

That line drew the most enthusiastic applause for any of Bush's remarks, including from the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who attended the conference and sat up front for the speech.