Is it REALLY that big of a DEAL that the GOP top tier Candidates skipped the African American debate?

Question

The blacks will always give 95% of their vote to the Democrats. This will never change. Why show up?

It would be like Democrats skipping a debate hosted by Self Reliant People of America! Why show up? They don't need your hand outs. You are not going to change their minds with 'Free Healthcare' 'Free this' & 'Free that'.

The Republicans have won 7 out of the last 10 presidential elections without the african american vote. Hispanics and Asians split their vote so we should spend our time talking to them.

Answer 1

If the Republican candidates thought that they had a lot to offer the black community and could change their minds, then they would have shown up. Obviously, they didn't think they had anything to offer the black community, so they didn't show up. Also, maybe some of them were afraid that they would be asked awkward questions they would be unable to answer.

Answer 2

I'd like to commend you on forming a such a short question that hits so many hot buttons all at once. I also notice that the majority of answers so far believe you to be racist and way out of line.

Weather or not they are correct, you emphasized an important point. "Why bother" has nothing to do with why GOP candidates "skipped" the African-American debate. The GOP has stated that supporting such a racist activity is wrong.

The debate was set up by the left to benefit the left and pander to a group based solely on race. While the left is constantly calling conservatives/Republicans racist, homophobic hatemongers, virtually ALL of the discriminatory organizations and activities in this country come from the left. I.E.
The Congressional Black Caucus
Black History Month
Black owned business subsidies
Women owned business subsidies
Gay Pride Day
National Organization of Women
United ***** College Fund

The real bigots on the national scene right now are nearly all liberals.
I.E.
Al Sharpton
Hillary Clinton
Ted Kennedy
Jesse Jackson
Louis Farakand
Don Imus
just to name a few.

Self reliance is not a racial issue, liberal pandering and discrimination is.

Thanks for the question.

Answer 3

This isn't the first African-American base debate they have skipped. It seems to me that the Republicans are two faced about this. They claim they care just as much about the black communities in this country, but they sure don't show it, and then ask stupid questions about why most blacks vote Democratic. Maybe it has to do with exactly what you have just shown here - making ignorant remarks like "hosted by Self Reliant People of America." As if Democrats as a whole are poor and waiting for handouts. It is Republican attitudes such as yours that keep pushing away the black vote and it shows the truth - that most of you don't give a damn about their problems. How compassionate and tolerant of you all. So as a result it would be nice for Republicans to stop pretending they just don't get why blacks continue to vote for Democrats. It doesn't have anything to do with handouts - it has to do with respect and concern for the issues of race that still plague this nation. At least Huckabee showed up. Will you all start smearing him now because he actually went and showed he gives a damn? This is just another reason why the Republicans are going to lose in '08. They just continue to make it clearer and clearer they don't care about anyone but their own base, and the rest of American has had it right up to their eyeballs with it.

Answer 4

There shouldn't even be these special debates for blacks & hispanics. We should have debates to talk about issues that impact all American citizens. I don't like seeing American politicicans bending over backward to try & pander to all of the different minority groups. I've seriously had enough of all this politically correct bullshit. What makes black people so special that they have to have their own t.v. channel, leaders, presidental debates, history month, advocacy groups, awards shows etc? Why can't we all just be Americans?

Answer 5

It's a vicious cycle. I believe ultimately the way to break this is to have a viable black conservative run for high office. But face it, not even Senator Obama escapes race baiters who wonder if he's "black enough". There needs to be a grass roots movement to bring the black vote back to its senses. It's only on social programs that they seem prone to follow liberal ideals. For the most part, the black community is very conservative when it comes to family and religion.

Answer 6

If you think any politician turns down a hand out from anyone you are delusional. Why should anyone give their vote to someone who doesn't even deem them important enough to show up and talk to? The GOP doesn't have a hold on all of the self reliance in America. For example I do not believe that Bill Gates is a registered Republican.

Answer 7

Wow, just WOW! You will defend anything Penelope. I can guarantee you would criticize the Dems if it happened to them.

Why not show up and try to win some of those votes? Is the GOP that incompetent that they lack ability to change peoples minds? Is that why they only cater to people on their side, like Fox News and AM radio?

You are the typical Republican......pathetic. You are truly a horrible person.

Answer 8

Actually, I suspect that the Self Reliant People of America (if there isn't already such an organization, there really should be) would be greatly in favor of Universal Healthcare, since they're all probably business owners, and would prefer not to have to foot the bill for all of their employees indefinitely.

To answer your question, yes, openly admitting that the GOP isn't interested in representing Black Americans is a big deal. What other Americans aren't they interested in representing?

Answer 9

Actually, I agree with you-BUT, the previous Republican possibilities were no better for African Americans than the Democratic ones, so people just voted for what they were comfortable with.

The traditional choice for African Americans has basically been between immediate slavery(Republicans) or long term(Democrats). In Ron Paul, all Americans should see freedom, including African Americans. This is no longer an issue of race, we are all about to be had soon if we don't get wise.

Answer 10

I think it's a bigger deal that special interests are sponsoring presidential debates focused on thier own issues. The president is supposed to represent all Americans, as a whole, not cater to specific demographic segments.