KTLA News: "Councilman Tom Bradley and Mayor Sam Yorty respond to Edmund Muskie's comments" (1971).

[Councilman Tom Bradley] And while I do not share the, Senator's evaluation of this particular point. In my judgment, the Senator was honest and direct in his answer. We cannot always expect politicians to agree with everything that we believe. But I would hope that we could at least expect, expect, honesty and candor from them. I appreciated the candor and honesty of Senator Muskie. I believe that most people would. It was like a breath of fresh air on the political scene to have this kind of direct and honest answer to a really very difficult and complex question. [No Audio] [Mayor Sam Yorty] I think it's ridiculous to rule out anybody on the, basis of color, it, depends entirely upon the caliber of the candidate, not the color of his skin. And I believe the American people are big enough to, to look at the, problem in that manner. I'd hate to tell some little black child that you could never be President of the United States because you're black. So I don't approve of that kind of talk and call it being, ah, so honest and everything. As you know, Muskie dodges almost everything else. It's a wonder he was willing to speak frankly on that. [No audio] [Ambient room noise, clatter] [Bradley] I know this caused some, [laughter] excitement around this place. [Bradley] Gentlemen and ladies of the press, let me, ah, indicate to you in advance that I have a statement that I want to read. And, ah, there will be no questions following this statement. The statement itself is being distributed at this moment, and you may get a copy of it. I'm issuing a statement for the purpose of clarifying some comments that were made in response to questions yesterday at a meeting that was, held in the Watts area. Senator Muskie hosted a meeting of a number of black leaders, and, for the purpose of exchanging frank and honest views with us. I was a member of that group. In response to a number of questions that ranged all the way from economic problems to, ah, unemployment, transportation, busing. There was also a question asked, to the senator. "Would you have a black man on your ticket as a vice presidential candidate?" The Senator answered that to the effect that, "If I run, "I would be doing so, in order to win, "and to win for the purpose of trying to do something about the problems that affect black people and others in this country. "To be very candid with you, I think that if I were to have a black man on the ticket with me that we would both lose. "I say that in light of the view of the climate in this country today." He further went on to say that, Ah, he wanted to make it very clear that he believes that there are qualified black men in this country, who are competent to hold any office that this country has to offer. He said, "But that is not the issue to which I responded." He said, "I was taking a cold and, "ah, practical political view of the matter in response,"