St. McCain, The Republicans, and Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today, as we celebrate one of the greatest figures in our history, I think it’s worth taking a look at how the GOP and right-wing establishment have treated Martin Luther King, Jr. over the years.

Can anyone tell me why:

• St. McCain, a leading Republican presidential candidate, voted against the 1983 law to make King’s birthday a national holiday?
• Ron Paul, another Republican presidential candidate, published a newsletter that referred to the holiday as "Hate Whitey Day"?
• Mitt Romney lied about seeing his father march with King?
• 18 of the 22 senators who opposed that 1983 law — including Trent Lott and Orrin Hatch — were Republicans?
• Vice President Dick Cheney, as a congressman, voted against a 1979 measure to make King’s birthday a national holiday?
• The red states of Arizona and New Hampshire, didn’t recognize the King Holiday until 2000?
• It took until 2000 for Willard’s beloved Utah to finally change their "Human Rights Day" to officially honor Martin Luther King?
• South Carolina, the reddest of red states, was the last state to recognize the holiday as a paid holiday for state employees?
• Right-wing and Republican activists continue to peddle smears of Dr. King (see here, here, here, here, and here)?

Just asking.

Related posts:

1. “Steve King” it’s Iowegian for “Dick”
2. Hoyer Whipping Republicans — 50 Republicans to Vote Yes?
3. Stark on the Hill: Will Pete King Denounce Rush Limbaugh?
4. Health Care: Pete King is Out of Touch with Long Island, New York, and America
5. Remembering Ted Kennedy: How a 1968 Speech Comforted an 8 Year-Old