Keep His Name Out Your Mouth!

Republicans and some Democrats need to keep Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s name out their mouths.

When I see the grandiose of several lawmakers, media agitators and folks who distort the message of King, I grind my teeth and shake my head.

The far right loves to quote King's quotes to justify white supremacy. 

If King was alive, the far-right, Fox, Breitbart and Republicans would hate him with a passion.

So I boggles the mind to hear lawmakers who oppose voter rights and civil rights, support war and bigotry, stomp on the grave of King.

“Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Happy #MLKDay, Arizona. pic.twitter.com/iAdg9oEIYR

— Kyrsten Sinema (@kyrstensinema) January 16, 2023

Today we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

He challenged Americans to judge people by the content of their character and not the color of their skin.

We will always remember the sacrifices he made to secure liberty for EVERY American. #MLKDay pic.twitter.com/jFxxEfIJOo

— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) January 16, 2023

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

On this day, we remember his incredible legacy and contributions to this great nation.

— Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) January 16, 2023

pic.twitter.com/hXhzi1gH5c

— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) January 16, 2023

As the leader of the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr., traversed the nation in his quest for equality and lost his life fighting for the principle that each of us be judged by the content of our character instead of the color of our skin. #MLKDay2023 pic.twitter.com/k6m24M4Yeg

— Rep. Wesley Hunt Press Office (@RepWesleyHunt) January 16, 2023

This year’s Macomb County Ministerial Alliance MLK Day breakfast was outstanding! So blessed to join - your message of unity and action was powerful.

In the words of Dr King:

“We must learn to live together as brothers and sisters - or perish together as fools.” pic.twitter.com/LXUEqAobwL

— John James (@JohnJamesMI) January 16, 2023

Happy #MLKday. Today we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King. https://t.co/kV8Zrc2esQ

— Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) January 16, 2023

Today we honor and remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. — one of our nation's most influential and inspiring leaders. Dr. King started our nation on a march toward peace and justice, and today, we proudly follow Dr. King in our forward stride toward the city of freedom. pic.twitter.com/9BqveoViIV

— Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) January 16, 2023

Respondents to a new The Economist/YouGov poll were asked “Do you think that Martin Luther King’s birthday should be a Federal Holiday?”

Overall, 55 percent of respondents said “yes,” Martin Luther King’s birthday should be a Federal Holiday, with 24 percent responding “no” and another 21 percent saying they were “not sure.”

Support for the holiday from racial subgroups was highest among Black respondents, 77 percent of whom said “yes” versus 10 percent who said “no” and 14 percent who weren’t sure. Among White respondents, support was lowest among White men with no college degree at 44 percent.

The highest support was registered among Democrats at 74 percent “yes” and 12 percent “no,” with 14 percent not sure.

But by far, the lowest support for the holiday came from Republicans, only 39 percent of whom said “yes,” MLK Day should be a federal holiday, with the remaining 61 percent either against it (37%) or not sure (23%).

Among independent voters, the plurality who said “yes” was 49 percent, while 25 percent said no and 26% were not sure.

Even more shocking, though, is the fact that while support for the holiday has grown among Democrats since the holiday was signed into law in 1983, support from Republicans and independents has decreased quite significantly.

According to a Harris poll taken weeks before the Senate passed the bill, 48 percent of Republicans and 62 percent of independents favored establishing the law. Forty-two percent of Republicans were opposed, while 10 percent were “not sure.”

Support among Republicans has also dropped by two points since the same poll in 2021.

In that same poll, 66 percent of Democrats favored the law while 29 percent opposed, with 5 percent saying they were “not sure.”