Why Republican Presidential Candidates Skipped the Morgan State Debate
The leading Republican presidential candidates’ inability to find their way to Morgan State University tonight may have little to no impact in the short-term, but will probably hurt the GOP nominee in next year’s general election, says one leading policy expert.
September 28th, 2007 at 9:43 am
why is it black america? why can’t it just be america. racism will NEVER end untill people stop highlighting these differances, and start seeing themselves as americans, no as a subgroup.
as for as the canidates skipping these debates, they are sick of only getting 30 seconds to get thier message across, and on this issue, with a political hack like tavis smiley moderating, it was a trap to get a nasty soundbite, one that they didn’t want to give. so this negitive press is better then a clip of them sounding like something they are not
September 28th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Giuliani has a history of skipping areas where blacks & brown people meet. When he was mayor of New York, he would mot meet with minorities in NY. He also skipped the NAACP national convention in Detroit. How can we trust him as President?
September 28th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
My God - what a horrible insult! I’m speechless.
September 28th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Political campaigning relies heavily on strategy. The four top candidates had a good strategy to avoid getting grilled by a liberal panel: Don’t go. This wasn’t a case of insulting or ignoring minorities, it was a case of not putting their foot in the trap that Smiley set for them. Why was it a trap? Any strong Republican candidate will know that their base of support is anti-affirmative action, anti-illegal immigration, anti-gay marriage and pretty much anti-everything the ultra liberal student body of Morgan State stands for. They aren’t looking for the black or hispanic vote because they know they won’t get it. They want to make sure they cater to the voters who can get them their party’s nomination.
September 28th, 2007 at 3:54 pm
If this isn’t a direct and explicit “stab” at the black economy, then I don’t know what is. Once again, conservative white America is demonstrating its lack of concern and seriousness of the black voter; and according to stats, who can blame them. A large majority of problems facing African-Americans stem from the fact that we complain and demonstrate without a voice. Our collective voice is resonated and demonstrated within the voting process, of which we have minimal interaction. The only way America will acknowledge the struggles of African Americans is to penetrate our voice to the core of American Society to which no President or any subsidiary can change without collective decision making; this core is the constitution. We have the inalienable right to vote; a privilege that no man can take from us and a privilige that has the most power to change the outcome of our present situation(s). Once candidates realize that we can no longer be ignored b/c an absence of our votes would greatly jeopardize their chances of winning, I guarantee that we will not be able to stop them from trying to setup debates and meetings catering to African Americans. The individuals that decided not to attend the debate don’t view us as a political threat, and are not about to lose any sleep over their choice. The only way to change that is to use the power of politics to make them aware that we do count, and without our input and vote, their is no possibility of winning.
September 28th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
In response to Lloyd Hansen’s comment:
Thats the problem with politics today; individuals would rather “play” strategic games to win a seat than to hear the problems from every sector in order to find an universal solution. True…you can’t make everybody happy, but you’re not even trying when you don’t consider the opinions and values of another being. That’s what make being human beautiful; we all are different. Seeking out individuals of like mind without consideration of others is selfish, bias, and no becoming of the person that I would call my President.
September 29th, 2007 at 10:43 am
This reprehensible behavior of the leading Republican candidates is not surprising, shows exactly who they really are, and reveals 21st centrury Jim Crow who is wearing “Armani” suits. There has been no substantive changes, only symbolic. It also harkens back to the disdain shown for Black Americans by the White House. The token actions of the Bush administration an example of symbolic change and do nothing for this country’s people of color. Remember the President showed his true colors in Texas with the James Byrd tragedy. Former Mayor Guilani, in my opinion, is one of the biggest racists this country has in public view. I hope that African Americans and others do not forget the racial profiling and murders by New York City police that Guiliani staunchly supported. No one should force him into glory as in the case of Abraham Lincoln.
September 29th, 2007 at 10:59 am
A response to Grant and Lloyd Hansen:
Black Americans are reminded every second of the 365 or 366 days in a year that they are black. When white America ceases its divisive behaviors, maybe this country can move forward on a “your color or ethnic background does not matter” basis. So make Tavis Smiley the scoundrel if that assuages your conscience. He is not. Above all, if the candidates are so wise and knowledgeable, they should be able to handle all situations. It is difficult to handle so-called “traps” when the people extending and attending such a forum are invisible. Is that “superioity” badge that is so prevalent among the ones you defend one of fear rather than some political strategy? Answer the question for yourself — “Who really should be fearful and avoid forums, host moderators, and other situations?”
October 1st, 2007 at 3:48 pm
So many victims posting here. The whole belief that the white man is out to get you is on of the things that will keep you down. White people don’t even care about other white people, why should they care about anyone else? Help yourself, that’s what white people do.
The point of primaries (which is the stage of the elections we are currently in) is to get your party’s nomination. How many republicans do you think were going to watch Smiley’s debate? Very few. How many republicans care that their favorite candididate didn’t attend the debate? Close to zero. Their time was better spent someone else, end of story.
October 12th, 2007 at 5:13 am
Here is an updated list of all the Presidential Candidate for 2008 - and they’re respective campaign websites. Also posted are their current job roles:
http://www.gummyprint.com/blog/archives/presidential-candidates-2008/