Graham joins other hopefuls opposing flag
Associated Press
SPARTANBURG--U.S. Sen. Bob Graham of Florida is the latest Democratic presidential candidate to come out against the Confederate flag that flies at the South Carolina capitol.
"At this time that our nation is under threat, we should be rallying around symbols that tie us together," he said in a statement. "The Southern Cross that flew as the Confederate battle flag has become a symbol of hatred to many Americans and should not be prominently displayed at the South Carolina capitol."
When Graham, D-Fla., was governor from 1979-87, a Confederate national flag flew outside the Florida Statehouse. He said the "Stainless Banner" Confederate flag that was on display does not carry the same connotations as South Carolina's battle flag.
"In Florida, we flew the Spanish, French and British flags along with the Confederate national flag -- not the battle flag -- in a historical procession of previous governments of our state," he said.
Gov. Jeb Bush removed the flag in 2001.
Other Democratic candidates have made their stances known.
North Carolina Sen. John Edwards and the Rev. Al Sharpton of New York said they back the National Associated for the Advancement of Colored People's boycott.
Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean and Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., said they oppose the flag flying in front of the Statehouse.
Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri said the flag shouldn't fly "anytime, anywhere," but that doesn't apply to flags on private property.
Carol Moseley Braun, a former U.S. senator from Illinois, said the flag belongs in a historical setting.
Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry said he would rather see the flag in a museum.
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