Republican Candidates Skip Black Voters Debate to Raise Cash

The four leading front runners for the Republican presidential nomination—Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Sen. John McCain, Gov. Mitt Romney and character actor Fred Thompson—are sharply criticized after their decision to ignore last night’s debate that focused on issues related to the black community.

Much of the outrage comes from members of their own party and the candidates who attended the debate. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee says he is "embarrassed" and Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) described the no-shows as "disgrace."

Giuliani, Thompson and Romney were all at fund-raisers on Thursday night. Romney defended his choice to sit out the Morgan State forum to the Christian Broadcasting Network's David Brody: "You've got to raise the money, and you've got to do the grassroots work and getting on in the early primary states."

Not everyone on the right is whitewashing the decision by the Republican top tier. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich calls the decision "fundamentally wrong" and "baloney." The money quote is from former Rep. Jack Kemp: "We sound like we don’t want immigration; we sound like we don’t want black people to vote for us. What are we going to do—meet in a country club in the suburbs one day?"

Candidates Skip Debate [Think Progress]
Mitt Romney on the Tavis Smiley Debate [CBN]
GOP Leaders Choose Fundraisers [Huff Po]
Gingrich, Kemp: Republicans Can't Hide [AJC]

Did You Read? ...
Thompson, Leading GOP Candidates Refuse Debate [R20]
Thompson is "Right with God" But Not Churchgoer [R20]
This is the One Photo the Republican Party ... [R20]

Comments

[Luther]

Well, at least give them credit for what they do best, rake in cash, since that's the only thing they know and care about, and thier "God" as well, and oh yeah, those "activist" judges.

[Aaron Coleman]

Well, they can just write-off "the black vote", but you know there will be a few idiots that will vote Republican, nevertheless.
It boggles my mind.
I never will understand folks like CNN pundit and former Rep. J.C. Watts, and Rev. Joe Watkins and their undying support for all things Republican

[IsleZeus]

Exactly Aaron, I dont understand these Blacks and Gays voting Republicans. All I can say is that the "Uncle Tom Syndrome" is not dead.