The Morgan State debate is in two days. Still, Thompson, Romney, Giuliani, and McCain still won’t change their minds to appear. In short, to quote J.C. Watts, it is “a stupid decision” on their part.
“I think the best that comes out of stupid decisions like this,” said former Oklahoma Rep. J.C. Watts, is “that African-Americans might say, ‘Was it because of my skin color?’ Now, maybe it wasn’t, but African-Americans do say, ‘It crossed my mind.’”
All four GOP presidential front-runners — former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson — have said they will not attend a PBS debate at a historically black college in Baltimore hosted by Tavis Smiley. [...]
Watts pointed out that some of the candidates with more liberal histories on issues such as guns and abortion have reached out to conservative groups that don’t share their views.
It’s not just black conservatives complaining. White conservatives are shaking their heads in disappointment. Commentary from Redstate:
The fact that our major Republican candidates have decided to skip out on a debate hosted by NPR’s Tavis Smiley at an historically Black university is a travesty. I’ve never been so disappointed in this Republican field as a group as I am about this issue. Even the CEO of Wal-Mart has appeared on the Tavis Smiley show to talk about his company, address concerns and objections, answer tough questions, and present himself and his company to Smiley’s audience and let them make up their own minds. It’s a real pity so many of our prospective Presidents aren’t willing to do the same. Don’t tell me the CEO of Wal-Mart isn’t as busy as any of these guys.
We have scolded the African-American community for its lock-step support for Democrats. However, as the avoidance of this debate demonstrates, Republicans haven’t exactly beaten down doors in an attempt to engage these voters, either. Given that these invitations went out in March, the campaigns had plenty of time to schedule one debate to address one of the largest voting blocs in the country, and one whose loyalties could help the GOP turn national elections. [...]
Because Republicans don’t engage, we allow the Jacksons and Sharptons and Wests to define the GOP rather than define ourselves. We have to get aggressive in engaging black voters so that we don’t leave a vacuum. And if we ever want to gain their votes, we have to answer the barbs tossed at Republicans and get past the self-appointed gatekeepers with our answers.
Knowing that about nine out of 10 black voters have cast their ballots for the Democratic presidential candidate over the past two decades, the candidates can have little doubt that the audience at the All-American Forum is not likely to be receptive to Republican candidates or Republican policies.
But how can Republican supporters, many of whom labeled Democrats “cowards” for refusing to debate on the Fox News Channel, remain silent while their candidates run and hide from Tavis Smiley, one of the most congenial black talk show hosts on TV today?
It’s not too late. There are still two more days until the debate.
Yes, two more days. I already voiced my opinion on the subject, and it still stands.
It’s time for the frontrunners to step up or step off.
Related: Jim Geraghty offers up “reasons” why the Fearful Four won’t debate this Thursday. Frankly, I’m not buying their excuses.
Related #2: Shorter Bob Herbert: “Go away! I’m race baitin’!” (via Sister Toldjah)
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