Local NAACP leader calls on Matheson to attend convention

The leader of Utah's branch of a prominent civil rights organization is calling on Congressman Jim Matheson to attend his party's convention. This comes after reports that Matheson, who is a superdelegate, plans not to go to the Democratic National Convention later this month in Denver. Matheson tells The Salt Lake Tribune he plans to work on his re-election campaign and be in town when his son starts school. But the head of the Salt Lake Chapter of the NAACP calls the decision "unfortunate." Jeanetta Williams thinks Matheson should reconsider, especially given the landmark nature of the event, with Barack Obama becoming the first African-American chosen as the nominee for either of the major political parties. A speech by the Illinois senator in Berlin this week drew 200,000 people. Williams says, given Matheson's official... [read full story]