Scalise still mending fences

Steve Scalise is on a non-apology apology tour.

Seven weeks after coming under fire for giving a 2002 speech to a group associated with white supremacists, the Houses No. 3 Republican is meeting with key members of the Congressional Black Caucus, conferring with civil rights leaders and trying to forge relationship with reporters though its unclear if that will be enough to fix what could have been potentially career-ending damage.

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One of the people hes met with, CBC Chairman G.K. Butterfield of North Carolina, expressed frustration that the Louisiana Republican hasnt committed to attending next months 50th anniversary of the civil rights marches in Selma, Alabama.

Scalise allies insist he is not mounting a formal mea culpa. He expressed regret after the scandal initially broke in late December, but now allies say the House majority whip is just working to build new bonds on Capitol Hill and granting meetings with those who ask.

The people hes sat down with include black lawmakers who were deeply offended by the revelation that as a state legislator he had given the speech to a conference associated with former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke. That was followed by last months news that in 1996 Scalise had also opposed a state legislative resolution apologizing for slavery.

Butterfield, a Democratic House member from North Carolina, said last weekthat Scalise is going to have to determine how to repair the damage thats been done.

He has the ability to do it, but the question is does he have the will? Butterfield said. I dont believe in manifestos. We dont give deadlines. Hes a Republican leader, hes a leader of the Republican caucus, not of the Democratic conference, and if they want to keep someone in their leadership that has this controversy swirling around, that is their prerogative.

Butterfield added that he would be closely watching Scalises decision on Selma, saying the Republican was equivocal when invited.

Marc Morial, the president the National Urban League, wouldnt even rule out calling for Scalises resignation after meeting with the lawmaker last week, despite characterizing the confab as a good meeting characterized by respectful dialogue.

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Scalise still mending fences