Why did the Top Republican Presidential Candidates Skip African American and Spanish Language Debates?

Question

Is it that they just don't care about those groups of people? Could it be that they know they can't win their votes with the Republican agenda that puts the wealthy before the poor and middle class? Or was it simply a "scheduling conflict" as the four candidates claimed?


http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070928/pl_nm/usa_politics_republicans_dc;_ylt=AmztDjJlG__o2_d6t_hOFXSs0NUE

ProsperousParent your racism disgusts me.

John B insulting a Y!Answers member violates the TOS. Consider yourself warned.

Joe no one is "pandering" to anyone. They were invited to participate in those debates. And since undocumented workers aren't citizens of the US, they don't get to vote.

Denise why would the alleged "left wing media" crucify them for attending a debate they were invited to? I think they would have received praise from both sides for trying to reach out to those in the African American and Hispanic communities.

Eelfins the debate was held at Morgan State University in Maryland and is a traditionally African American college. Yes, we are all Americans and all human, but Republicans typically favor rich, caucasian Americans and care little for the poor and middle class and their struggle whether they're white, African American, Hispanic or Asian.

Steven the people you and I are speaking of are American citizens and speak English. I don't see how the American public is a "special interest group."

Plezurgui if the Republicans are abused at these debates it's because of what little they've done to advance the rights and equality of these two particular groups of people. The Democrats have done more for Hispanics and African Americans in the last 60 years than the Republicans have ever done. Republicans have no interest in helping anyone but themselves and their rich friends.

No one's trolling Larry. You don't like the question? Don't answer it!

Randy the University specifically invited the Republican candidates only. The Democrats have been attending debates both for the African American and Hispanic communities. IF the Democrats need to raise taxes, it's because REPUBLICAN spending is out of control and it has to be paid for, so when Democrats are Fiscally RESPONSIBLE, it makes them look like the bad guys even when it's the Republicans being IRRESPONSIBLE. Since their "Betray Us" add, MoveOn.org has seen both their membership and their number of donations grow.

Dead Marxist you're completely missing the point. The University was giving the Republican candidates an opportunity to speak to the African American community who have growing concerns about their social, political and economic futures. The Republicans declined to do so.

American Akbar yes, I did think of this question all by myself. Thanks for asking!

Right is Wrong...errr...right? It's not really "pandering" when you're being invited. Please try to put aside your partisan politics and try to consider the other side of the argument. What does it say about the Republican party when they ignore specific groups within our country? Not much I'm afraid.

Zardoz, Italians typically fall under the category of "caucasian." The University was trying to give the Republican presidential candidates an opportunity to present their case for why they should be the next president to the African American community and what they would do for the African American community if elected. The Republicans declined.

Oops! Sorry Mikey. I didn't forget you. You're just an ignorant bigot.

Pointing out that our country shouldn't make me or anyone else the "bad guys." The lines of division have always been there, and personally, I think it takes courage to point out those lines. And once they've been acknowledged, we can finally move to do something about the divisions within out society. Are the Republican motivations for not attending those debates racist? Perhaps. Or maybe it was simply a "scheduling conflict," but when you look at the Republican voting record on issues critical to those ethnic groups, they have done little to nothing to improve the quality of living for African Americans and Hispanics in America. Why do you consider groups like the NAACP and Hispanic groups "racist," because they unify and empower African American and Hispanic communities?

Answer 1

Well considering they are cut of the same party and prejudices of bill the felafel king oriely, and the fact he was stupid enough to announce he was surprised at how civilized a restaurant in Harlem was, are you really surprised? bush ignored the black caucus when he was running, he's let New Orleans suffer and struggle, and yes we all know had this town been full of whites, he'd have had them covered before the storm hit, just like he did with Fl. and Texas! No this party is so prejudiced they wouldn't be able to shake a black mans hand w/o washing it asap with no one looking!

Answer 2

I think Huckabee's answer to the second question (the first real question) explains it, if you think about it real hard.

The question PRESUMES that no Republican since Lincoln has done anything to advance black Americans, and the very first part of Huckabee's response demonstrates that this pervasive belief is false.

So, maybe the Republican front-runners have bought into the same false and ignorant assumption. Perhaps it is the black community that needs to change the paradigm by giving credit where it is due. I shouldn't be surprised that they'd see how Eisenhower's actions being ignored as a sign that they'd never get any credit no matter what they did, so they'd be better off having a night off than beating their heads against a wall.

Maybe the fault lies elsewhere. Maybe.

Answer 3

Why is it when African Americans and Latinos have a special debate it is a good thing. Let's see. The NAACP, Black Chamber of Commerce, National Puerto Rican Defense League, Latino Little League's popping up all over the country. I could go on and on. None of this is considered racist by you?

But as soon as somebody will not acknowledge these as legitimate or doesn't bow to these groups they are the Grand Wizard of the KKK.

Your one sided, blame placing is very misguided. But I came to expect that in this forum. Lies, finger pointing, and double standards.

I'm going back to the music forum. I give up on intelligent conversation here.

Answer 4

The flaming and trolling just never ceases in this category does it? That's really a shame. This could be good place to share ideas and have rational fact based debate. You know on real issues like this poor your talking about, what can be done about it? Like what suggestions or solutions can be offered instead of just projecting blame. And yes it's from both sides. Something in government doesn't work? Well what can be done about it. I personally don't give a rat tatooty who's fault it is. I know who's fault it is, it's Washington's fault. I want to know if anybody knows what to do about anything other than trying to assign blame to anybody they can. In this whole question, just like about every other posting I've read in this section, there is not a single suggestion or idea on how to solve anything period.

Answer 5

Probably because they dont speak spanish or any of the african languages. Besides they are running for president of the United States, not africa or spain. Or perhaps they dont feel that pandering to special interest groups is in the best interest of the nation as a whole.

Answer 6

Why do blacks and hispanics need "special" debates of their own? This smacks of elitism. Let them attend the regular debates with everyone else.

I'm glad the candidates ignored this garbage

Answer 7

When they go there they are insulted and abused, so why bother?
There is little reason to campaign in black neighborhoods. First they might get mugged, their car stolen, and it would result in no more votes, so why bother?
Black people do not think for themselves or at least beyond what kind of crumbs will the Democrats throw me? Democrats do NOT let blacks play in the game, but they can vote for them. Don't make any sense to me.

Answer 8

Wow. Clever question. Did you think of it all yourself? Tha answer of course is we don't know. There is what they said, and then there is whatever people want to believe to soothe themselves.

Answer 9

I don't understand it. They also skipped the HRC/Logo Gay debates. All that flack from FOX over 1 debate with Democrats and here this happens.

Are Republicans saying they are only representative of one race?

Answer 10

When is the italian debate? Did I miss it?