I do not believe you are a racist and I agree with you
when you commit yourself to the importance
of finding common ground.
But I also believe – and it is personal and it was actually very ...
It was hurtful to hear you talk about the reputations of two
United States senators who built their reputations and career
on segregation of race in this country.
And it was not only that but you also worked with them to oppose bussing.
– Look, everything I've done in my career ... I ran because of civil rights.
I continue to think we have to make fundamental changes in civil rights
and those civil rights, by the way, include not just African Americans
but the LGBT community. [Applause]
– But vice president Biden, do you agree today ...
Do you agree today that you were wrong to oppose
bussing in America then? Do you agree?
– I did not oppose bussing in America.
What I opposed is bussing ordered by the Department of Education.
That's what I opposed. I did not oppose ...
– Well, there was a failure of states to integrate public schools in America.
I was part of the second class to integrate, Berkeley, California,
public schools almost two decades after Brown v Board of Education.
– Because your city council made that decision. It was a local decision.
– So that's where the federal government must step in.
That's why we had the voting rights act and the civil rights act.
That's why we need to pass the equality act.
That's why we need to pass the ERA because there are moments in history
where states fail to preserve the civil rights of all people.