Take out the four front runners, and the debate is much more watchable. I'd much prefer all future debates to be this way. Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul are the best candidates, but Alan Keyes is an extremely charismatic speaker and Sam Brownback had a great performance as well.

Get real folks, the black vote ain't gonna make or break the Presidency. Everyone who pretends to care about minority issues is a liar and just wants to be seen in a good light. The African-Americans only cause trouble anyhow so why should anyone pay attention to 'em. I agree with the comment that black folks vote blindly for Dems so why should the GOP even hold a debate highlighting minority issues? What a waste…

It's obvious to me that it wasn't a snub on the debate hosts. With the top 4 Rep. candidates not being able to make it proves that. Look, people from all over schedule these debates all the time, sometimes more than one a week. The valid candidates can't go to ALL of them.

However, it is a shame that more than 90% of African-Americans vote blindly for Democrats for President. It's a shame for 90% of any race, gender or other group to vote so blindly. Heck, Hitler could probably run on the Dem ticket and still get 90% of the African-American vote.

I have to applaud your naivete on this issue. The reason that Minority voters vote Democrat on these issues is because Republicans do so well to ignore minority rights. The reason the Republican candidates skipped the debate is because they did not want to isolate the South, their main source of electoral votes. The reason we vote the way we do is because of the issues, not bipartisonism.

I wonder why they would even mention the names of the guys who did not show up and not all the ones that did. The media is working so hard to get one of the absent guys elected that they would give them props for missing the debate. You wonder why the masses of people have tuned into the internet for the news turning off the TV and not reading the newspapers.

Go Ron Paul

Hey everyone! Please check out Tom Tancredo! He stands firm on all of his views and he cares for the American people. I belive Tom would be a true leader and is one candidate that can beat Hillary. Check out his official campaign website. http://www.teamtancredo.com. GO TOM GO!!

First, there were NOT "four empty podiums," there were four vacant LECTERNS. (All the candidates stood on the podium, a raised platform, and all stood behind lecterns.) One would think people who write for a living would have a better grasp of the English language.

Second, why should a Republican waste any time on a group that typically votes against them by 90%? No conservative would waste time campaigning in Nancy Pelosi's socialist district, and no liberal would waste time campaigning in a district that consists of hard-working Americans who believe in the Constitution. Invite a Republican to a gathering of black conservatives and he'll gladly show up, but don't criticize an unarmed man for failing to appear in an arena full of hungry lions.

How can we say that Republicans have forgotten the minority issues and communities of today?

Welfare- What the government has used as slavery for most African Americans? Most Blacks fear getting a job because they are afraid they will lose their check.

Economics- We can't keep money in our pockets if the Dems want to impose new taxes for their high spending programs that keep us enslaved and addicted to government. Capital gains tax could work in our benefit, but them Dems want to raise the rate. Estate tax, the way true wealth is transferred from generation to generation; lets go ahead and raise that too.

Education- The educational system is there. Whether it is broke or adequate, why is it that we can't take advantage of it. Government doesn't need more money for education, we have to utilize the system that is in place.

Jobs- Jobs are created not by government but private citizens who run corporations. If we continue to hit private citizens and corporations with higher taxes, they cut at profits which is directly related to shareholder wealth (Average citizen owns Exxon stock). If you hit my profits, I have less incentive to hire more people or give raises. So Dems are cutting at the potential job growth in all communities.

Republicans are doing more for minority communities than Democrats have ever done. If Democrats were doing so much for minority communities then minorities would have something to show for it. Republicans didn't destroy minority prosperity, it was never there. Dems didn't create it even though they claim Clinton did. Please

Did anyone note that Tom Joyner did not host the debate as the article states?

Tavis Smiley did!

Tavis Smiley occasionally appears on Tom Joyner's morning show! Tavis Smiley and Tom Joyner don't even look alike.

Uh, hello Ron Paul was also in attendance. Once again you have left him out. SHAME ON YOU!!!!

Make your voice count, shame on them. Always ask yourself who owns the Lobby system, and where more

emphasis needs to be put going forward to get your rights.

Who do you think won the All American Presidential forum debate at Baltimore's Morgan State University?

—-> http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=604

At least now we know which candidates have the stones to at least try to face an issue and which a naked cowards.

Good job, Chris from Florida. Utilizing a gay slur to get your point across. Way to sound intelligent!

Ron Paul won this debate on many levels. He is starting to gather a pretty strong base and can no longer be ignored. God bless Ron Paul.

Bob from Long Beach,

"Gimme a break, debates shouldn't be about speeches tailored to one portion of the population."

This was a FORUM, giving the candidates visibility in the community and allowing them to talk about issues important to that segment. I am not a Union Auto Worker, Natl Rifle Assoc. member, Vietnam Veteran, or woman who regularly watches Oprah; yet all of these "portions" have at some time provided similar medium for GOP candidates (including GW Bush) - much to the joy of Republican constituents. So are saying that, if similar budding constituents surface in the black community with the hopes of giving exposure to their Republican hopefuls, they should just kiss off? Think about it: these people would not have gone through the trouble a year in advance were they not actually persuaded by Republicans and seeking meaningful discourse!

Contrary to your statement, politics on most levels IS about addressing special segments of society. Because, no matter how much of a "melting pot" we are, we will always have factions, segments, beltways, etc as a fusion of heterogeneous people.

I think it is horrible that the 4 candidates did not show up. It says that they don't know how to prioritze and really don't care about the voters. They are racing to get as much money is as they can, so we can use our hard earned dollars to match what they raise.

None of the people that were absent should get the nomination.

The only one that makes any sense is Ron Paul and Rudy the missing Rudy just laughs at him.

I am sure of one thing if Ron Paul was President we would not be 50 trillion in debt and people like us would have extra money and we would not be in a War.

Blantant LIES…how can ALL 4 have "scheduling conflicts"?

Must take after his majesty G.W…monkey see, monkey do

I watched the entire debate, if you want to call it that. It was really just a question and answer session. No one truly debated anything.
I am compelled to clear one thing up that was stated several times by the candidates. President Eisenhauer was NOT supportive of desegregation. He had to send troups to Little Rock because he HAD to uphold the courts decision. He had no choice, BUT personally, he opposed the ruling. This is a part of public record that can even be found in the archives of his presidential library.
There, the record is straight. I can sleep now.

The Republican Party has abandoned the minority communities of America. They have a horrible, indefensible record through this administration and few Republicans have found the guts to repudiate President Bush in public. They are trapped in a losing box of their own making.

rest assured if the Dems had pulled off a trick like this, the headlines would be: Democrats avoided issues.

The mere fact those candidates vehemently claim they are "for" the people and are concern about issues that affect them, well regardless the race, it would have been in their best interest to "hear" these people out. Just because I'm a democrat, doesn't mean that I haven't voted for a republican. I look at the issues and which candidate has proven that he/she can get the job done.

But this was an opportunity to show you care about other people beside your own race.

As President, you can't hide from those you don't like or prefer NOT to deal with.

It's obvious to me that it wasn't a snub on the debate hosts. With the top 4 Rep. candidates not being able to make it proves that. Look, people from all over schedule these debates all the time, sometimes more than one a week. The valid candidates can't go to ALL of them.

However, it is a shame that more than 90% of African-Americans vote blindly for Democrats for President. It's a shame for 90% of any race, gender or other group to vote so blindly. Heck, Hitler could probably run on the Dem ticket and still get 90% of the African-American vote.

I am utterly shocked that CNN has chosen to do multiple articles on this non-story.

CNN chooses to do NO articles on the MAJOR revelation that came from the Democratic debates in New Hampshire (Hillary and other Democratic presidential candidates refuse to commit to removing troops from Iraq in the next 4 years). Hillary and other Democratic candidates have been running on the issue of Iraq and how they will bring the troops home and then they say to a nationally-televised audience that they don't know when the troops will come home.

Yet CNN decides to focus on the fact that Republican candidates decide to focus on fundraising activities rather than attend a PBS debate geared towards a segment of the voting population that votes Democratic over 90% of the time.

CNN couldn't have an agenda here could they?

Ah, news flash:

91% of African Americans vote Democratic EVERY election regardless of whether or not a few Republican candidates sit out a debate that no one watches.

While I don't think it was the smartest political move by these candidates, I think people are making WAY too big of a deal out of this.

I know that Democratic supporters and members of the liberal media are going to jump all over it but at the end of the day I don't think the Republican candidates will suffer much for it.

As everyone who has any clue of what is going on right now knows, this is a time when presidential candidates are trying to secure the votes of the people who represent their traditional voting base. Since 91% of African-Americans vote Democrat regardless of who is running, they don't exactly represent a segment of the voting population the Republicans are going to go after with vigor.

As usual, some will make this out to be a racist move on the part of the Republican candidates but let's face it, those are the same people that actually believe OJ didn't kill Nicole Brown and Ronald Goldman. Some people just don't get it.

Omg they didn't show up to a debate limited to only a portion of a population…. Gimme a break, debates shouldn't be about speeches tailored to one portion of the population. Speeches that more often than not don't honestly reflect what the candidates priority are insulting to say the least.

Democrats refusing to debate on Fox is a bigger issue seeing as how they want to represent all American people so they should be willing to debate on all the major networks. Not just the ones that won't throw them any curve balls…

It is quite revealing that these erstwhile gentlemen found it reasonable to skip an event hosted by a community that often feels neglected by the party these men represent. Romney and Thompson I get but Giuliani? Given his recent gaffes he can hardly hope to gain by skipping this event. Republicans react with such umbrage when they are accused of being racist (see Tucker Carlson's mock outrage yesterday), and most aren't, but what are these communities to think when the four leading republicans (one of whom may be the next president) treat them with such scant courtesy.

Please, everyone, give Mike Huckabee a hard, long, look. Give him a 'real' listen. He is the only candidate on both sides of the divide the truly cares about the USA (Red,White, and Blue) in every fiber of his body. He is the 'real deal'. A man we all wouldn't mid calling 'Dad'. A man to be fully 'trusted'. A VERY RARE MAN and one America can not afford to be without.

All African americans should teach these 4 candidates a lesson. No support to these republicans who do not care for african americans.

You are wrong to assume that Black voters ”do whatever their pathetic leaders tell them to do (Al Sharpton and Jesse Jacskon). The Black vote is not educated about the issues that face them….”

First, stop assuming that Black people are one homogenous group of people who all agree and blindly follow only Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton. There are numerous Black Leaders (Cornell West, Dr. Dyson, Tavis Smiley, Ben Gordan, Kenneth Chenault, Shirley Franklin, Collin. Powell, Condeleza Rice, Barack Obama,) and many others who do not all always agree and provide different perspectives. Yet, they are all still leaders in the own rite and many Black people agree AND disagree with many of them. Furthermore, we (Black people) do not all just blindly follow 2 people or any group for that matter. We are intelligent, discerning, and capable enough to make an informed decision on whom and what we support, and are not just blind sheep taking orders from 2 people or a political party.

Second, the mere fact that there was a debate to discuss ISSUES shows that Black people are informed about the “issues that face them.” In addition, we are SO informed that we are attempting to get the plans and perspectives of those who will potentially be the next leader of our country to decide rather or not to vote for them. The fact that there is a presidential debate to DISSCUSS such issues means that it’s important to Black people and that we DO CARE enough to at least hear their plans to address said issues.

Lastly, if Black people were ONLY going to blindly vote Democrat, why even bother planning a Republican Debate to discuss their plan to address the issues? And why make such a big deal of it when the top 4 candidates have “scheduling conflicts!” I can understand 1 or 2 candidates having scheduling conflicts-but all 4 of the top candidates? Maybe Black people are not intelligent enough to get the implication of this act!

God Bless America, and especially bless those who think like you.

I think the reason the republican candidates didn't show up is because most of the black or minority population doesn't vote at all. If minorities want to make a statement, go register and vote for a Democrat. If a person doesn't vote, he has no right to criticize.

It was a bad move for those (4) to be absent, everyone is watching their every move.

People really should take a look at Ron Paul. Unless he's got all of us fooled, he has gotten my attention. The others seem fake and self-serving.

They skipped the forum for obvious reasons: they're the main 4 candidates, and minority issues are an extremely sensitive issue right now. These 4 are afraid of saying the wrong things….given their poor performance so far. Rudy is only good talking about 9/11, Mitt's campaign people are cokeheads, John can only talk about the war in Iraq, and Fred, HE'S AN ACTOR!! So, this makes sense not to talk about something they know nothing about!

Have Republicans ever cared about minorities? Come on…get real!

I feel this is unaccpetable and disgusting, I am so ashame.

I watched the debate last night - the entire thing! Yaaawn. I wished the other candidates had shown but 14 months from now when everyone is voting for the next President - who showed up and how didnt at THIS one debate will not make any difference.

Yes - I believe it is important for Republicans to reach out and bridge the gap where "perceived" gaps exist. But in ALL honesty - what did the no-shows REALLY risk? Losing the African American vote in the upcoming election?? Would showing up at Travis Smiley's Debate suddenly convert the 90%+ (democratic voting African American) to vote Republican?

The more annoying part of the evening watching the debate were the 50 supporters of Ron Paul that pursued their "planned over-enthusiasm". Ron Paul said how we have no reason to help stop genocide in Darfur - and his supporters scream wildly.

PUHlease!

to ronnie - knoxville, tn:

YES, THEY DID. THEY SAID, "THEY DID NOT WANT TO APPEAR ON "FIXED NEWS" Channel.

The sad issue here is this party gave minorities their rights. DEMs did not want to do it because they they wanted to keep the south. They have lost the south and GOP has lost the blacks?

This is ironic.

Ryan From Indianapolis
Your comment is more of a ruling on what kind of a party the Republican party is. If all kinds of minorities will vote for one particular party, the other one must be racist and not worry about issues important to minorities.

By your argument, I would say who cares about religious voters because they have been brainwashed to vote for the Republican party, even though the Republican party does nothing to further their lives. The Republicans are all talk and no action when it comes to religious issues and yet all religious voters go for them.

I COULD claim that was a good reason to not care about those voters but see that is the difference between a Republican and a Democrat. We believe in inclusiveness while you are OK with shutting out groups of people in this country.

All Americans have the same rights - protected by the Constitution.

Minorities have the same rights as the majority.

That's all that need to be said.

There's no need for a 'debate' about such.

James

What ever happened to the liberal republicans? They must've had scheduling conflicts every four years.

The "frontrunners" from the Republican Party were nothing more than an embarrassment last night on our great nation. They all sited "scheduling conflicts" for missing the debate. Yeah right, who has scheduling conflicts a year in advance? Please.

Matt Lauer said it best this morning on the Today Show. Any of these guys, Rudy, Mitt, Thompson or McCain could have stolen the spotlight if they had unexpectedly shown up at the debate and said all Americans are more important than any campaign fundraisers. Can you imagine the headlines it would have created? That was a huge missed opportunity.

Instead, we get public responses from someone like Rudy saying that this is the end of the third quarter fundraisers as the reason to miss the debate. It shows you where the priorities are.

I commend Ron Paul and the other candidates for fulfilling their responsibilities to represent the interests of all Americans fairly. If Republicans were smart, they would elect Ron Paul as their candidate. He is a true constitutionalist and the only Republican I would consider in a general election. We'll see.

Democracy shouldn't be about the 51% imposing their will on the 49%. I learned in school that the United States is a representative democracy. So even if candidates don't think they are going to get a single vote from a large constituency, does that mean it's okay to ignore them? The "You Didn't Vote for Me so Screw You" attitude - how can we preach democracy and compromise to Iraq as we inch ever closer to a winner take all political process.

Compromise, compromise, compromise. It's the only way to survive a marriage and the only effective way to run a government.

Men and women who manage to maintain their marriages - they understand that compromise doesn't mean you compromise your own values. I am not encouraged to vote for people who don't have what it takes to stay married. Do they think running the United States is going to be any easier?

If candidates don't take the time to listen to people they don't agree with, then it's pretty clear that they have no intention of trying to work together to find common ground.

Why can't we put the candidates on an island, film them and then let the nation vote them off one at a time? Would be cheaper, a lot more entertaining, and over in 39 days!

I am betting that Fred Thompson won't show up for any debates. He won't be able to hold his own, and he knows it - and he is in the top four without doing anything other than get into the race.

The most important issues in 2008 are not confined to "special interest" groups but are _American_ issues. Pandering by candidates to such groups, especially when the groups will overwhelmingly oppose the candidates and the "debate" will have a marginal audience, is not a good thing.

This is a primary, not a debate. These people are mainly speaking to their REGISTERED PARTY MEMBERS. The room wasn't even full there are so few registered minority Republicans. Scheduling conflicts means "I had something else come up that was more important" which is entirely true. Who cares which was offerred to them first, if they had something better to do they ought to do it.

Minority issues are issues for Congress, not the President.

The moderator's name is Tavis Smiley not Tom Joyner, but then again I guess we all look the same to white people.

Ryan, who cares the minority votes are always going to vote for Democrats? Wow, that is simply one of the major reasons why republican candidates should reach out more proactively!

TX

Who cares the minority votes is always going to vote for Democrats? Wow, that is simply one of the major reasons why republican candidates should reach out more proactively!

Black people will vote for people that consitantly show up and APPEAL to them. The republicans DO NOT appeal to black voters. They have nothing to offer the black community AND once they get into office they consistantly ignore the entire race.

Repubs have messed up with black people, and now they are playing tug of war with hispanics. I hope blacks and hispanics for a voting block, there would be not more "scheduling conflicts"

Posted By bukky, Baltimore, MD : September 28, 2007 9:38 am

BUKKY,,

WHat a name????Anyway you just dont get it, it has nothing to do with the Republicans it has to do with BLACK VOTERS that either dont get they are getting taken advantage of by Democrats or they simply dont care and do whatever their pathetic leaders tell them to do(Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson). The Black vote is not educated about the issues that face them and simply do not care who is up for election they are going to vote Democrat. This has gone on for the last 50yrs and I am sure the Democrats will try to trick the Black Vote for the next 50yrs.

Ron Paul, question after question, consistently received the loudest applause of any candidate and he gets NO mention in this write-up? LOOOOOOL

I heard that out of 375 people that were in the audience only 25 showed up. A few photographers called in sick as well.

I was very dissapointed with candidates not showing up…I sent the You-tube message for the Republican debate to ask the question on why they did not attend the PBS All American Presidential Forum on minority issues.I really want to know why and so do many others.

Shoulda been called "The Scary Debate".

Pompous toad! I wouldn't give you a plugged nickel to run for dog catcher! Go work for another lobbyist to help continue squeezing the money out of the poor and middle classes while you hypocritically flaunt your so-called "values." You and the rest of your elitist reactionary ilk are a pox upon our nation….

Who cares the minority votes is always going to vote for Democrats, it seems they are almost brainwashed that they can only vote Democratic. Not a big deal, the black vote refuses to give Republicans a chance so why should they waste their time. I say no big deal the black vote will vote for a slimeball democrat if they go there or they dont go there……

This pic should be used by the Democrat nominee as one of many reasons why they deserve the african-american vote, and republicans don't. Simply stated, Dems. care about the african-american population, and Repubs. don't.

Such cowards!!! If they didn't want to show up they should just say I don't want to participate instead of making up the tired excuse of scheduling conflicts.

When are the Democrats and Republicans going to realize that you have to play on the other teams turf every now and then.

All I can say is, at least the Democrats siad they would not particiapte in the Fox debate because they didn't like the station. Fot all the "strength" Rudy is believed to have b/c of 9/11, he doesn't have the guts to just say "I don't want to participate in this debate."

I’m sure one of these four who skipped this debate will be the GOP nomination. It will be interesting to see how they will appeal the minority voters in the general election, now with this record of skipping this black issue debate and Spanish issue debate. And just a note, I’m disappointed at John McCain. I was not expecting this from him.

Surprise, surprise! Republicans are out campaigning to their base for primary elections.., just like the Democrats. I guess CNN will be just as disappointed when the Democrats don't show up at Bob Jones University??

Your liberal bias is showing again CNN..

So they skipped PBS, what a surprise. Everyone knows that the only people that watch PBS are people who are intellectually curious—which is the opposite target demographic for political candidates. You won't catch them skipping the other networks' debates—where they can play their dog-and-pony act to millions of drooling, ignorant consuming American morons—you know, the other 95% of America.

So I guess if the four frontrunners are wrong, the other GOP candidates will suddenly pick up a lot of minority support. yeah, right!
The four frontrunners know that 90% of blacks will vote for a yellow dog for democrat before ever voting Republican, and that blacks vote lock step with the democrats no questions asked.

Posted By Mark, Shreveport,

Black people will vote for people that consitantly show up and APPEAL to them. The republicans DO NOT appeal to black voters. They have nothing to offer the black community AND once they get into office they consistantly ignore the entire race.

Repubs have messed up with black people, and now they are playing tug of war with hispanics. I hope blacks and hispanics for a voting block, there would be not more "scheduling conflicts"

The most important issues in 2008 are not confined to "special interest" groups but are _American_ issues. Pandering by candidates to such groups, especially when the groups will overwhelmingly oppose the candidates and the "debate" will have a marginal audience, is not a good thing.

here we go again ! what's with criticizing people for scheduling conflicts- what is this almost-obssession that we have to take roll call every time someone announces they're holding a debate?

was there a blog about Democrats refusing to debate on the rival station?

Posted By ronnie - knoxville

How can it be scheduling conflict when the debate was anounced back in 2006. Are you serious..

And yes there was a blog about the whole Fox fiasco. It pointed out how FOX wanted to control EVERYTHING about the debate. Fox caused created an issue so they can have something to report. Typical

It should be noted that the room where this event was held was only about 2/3rds filled. It was not well-attended. The candidates who didn't show up were smart to spend their time elsewhere.

Read through the blogs…as the liberals start to play off each other…then as they say their "guesses" as to why the 4 didn't show up…it becomes less of the "guess" and more of a solid fact - then it will be part of the rhetoric machine….and Hillary will now release a statement of the "racist Republicans" and the reason they didn't show up…was that they hated minorities….yet…all this started (like all the liberal rhetoric) as just a guess….Democrats -you need to be alittle introspective…and not so angry - read alittle more than the DNC website…

Hey Mark, Shreveport LA…I am white and would vote for a yellow dog for president before ever voting Republican…so what's your point?

None of the top tier appear at ANY debate when it is the last week of the quarter. That is when all the most intensive fundraising happens with guest appearances, etc. When they said they had scheduling conflicts, that was truthful.

If this forum was held early on in any quarter, and no one showed up, then the racial victim card might be plausible.

They turn down lots of debate invites, not just this one.

So I guess if the four frontrunners are wrong, the other GOP candidates will suddenly pick up a lot of minority support. yeah, right!
The four frontrunners know that 90% of blacks will vote for a yellow dog for democrat before ever voting Republican, and that blacks vote lock step with the democrats no questions asked.

I think if people took the time to look into these candidates you'd see a huge difference in the polls. On the Rep side, Giuliani, Romney and Thompson are near the top. The only viable one of those three is Romney, having recent experience as Gov of Mass. Thompson and Rudy simply have name recognition, and actor on a popular TV show and "America's Mayor" banking on 9-11 and his frequent appearances on Hannity et. al.

When you start breaking these guys down and looking at their stance on the issues, some of the 'lower tier' candidates rise to the top and actually resonate with the majority of people. Same holds true on the Dem side, Hillary is the FrontRunner, but if you pay attention, the others would make far better presidents. She's propped up by her husband's rep and name recognition. She has been carefully packaged and answers everything with a sound bite. There is no doubt she is a shrewd politician and has done some homework with regards to formulaic answers for the generic, stock questions that are usually bandied about. But I see no originality in anything she does and she is totally reactionary. We need a pro-active president, not a puppet.

Happy Friday,

"so is the lack of attendance and respect for fox news' debate by Hillary Obama, etc. a setback for the Democratic party?"

No one need respect Fox News. They respect no one else, except psycho far-right religious loonies like Romney and useless dopes like McCain.They're liars, fascists trying to start wars. Luckily, they save a LITTLE bit of face by humoring us with the biggest buffoon in political TV, Bill O'Reilly.

Ronnie, it must be tough to watch the Repubs self-destruct, but if you don't "get it" about FOUR major candidates with "scheduling conflicts," then you're either naive or a bigot yourself.

The Republican Bigot party, saluting that Confederate flag and Drivin' Miss Daisy.

They hate anyone not white, rich and male.

Giuliani, McCain, Thompson, Romney: the crap of the crop.

ALL minorities, including women, should vote against those in any level of government who reject any segment of American society. Shameful.

In other huge presidential news, here is unexpected news out of California: The GOP groups have STOPPED THEIR EFFORT to divide the state's electoral votes!

Its also a lack of respect for the PBS audience…which is an intelligent group of potential voters…but that's okay because they probably won't vote for anyone in this group anyways…except maybe Ron Paul.

I agree with Frank; if these so called lead candidates know anything, it should be that skipping a debate is not in theor political favor.

Yes. This would be definately seen as a set back. Its seems like some candidates don't go where they perceive they will be attacked.

However, let see how this plays out since Democrats dissed the Values Voters debate. So, let see how much coverage the Republican story gets vs the Democrats story

Yet another case in which Mike Huckabee demonstrates how he deserves the nomination!

As a black Republican I am ashamed that they did not feel the need to show -up, although I do not care for either one of the leading four. Ultimately they will regret it. I do respect and praise Governor Mike Hucakbee along with the others for putting forth that effort.

This debate is a waste of time. I saw the debate at Howard University and it was all people agreeing with each other, nothing of substance was said. To be honest, why should they waste their time pandering to a crowd of people who aren't going to vote for them? The idea of the debate is stupid to begin with.

so is the lack of attendance and respect for fox news' debate by Hillary Obama, etc. a setback for the Democratic party?

It seems clear that the absent candidates have demonstrated a lack of respect and a willingness to understand minority issues. This is a set back for the Republican Party.

"Scheduling conflicts"? I believe this was announced and planned well over a year ago. Looks like a head start on knee jerk duplicity and lying to me on the part of those four.

here we go again ! what's with criticizing people for scheduling conflicts- what is this almost-obssession that we have to take roll call every time someone announces they're holding a debate?

was there a blog about Democrats refusing to debate on the rival station?

Could someone who follows the campaigns of the 4 missing candidates tell us what they were doing during the debate? I.e. why the scheduling conflict?