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Why GOP No-Shows Are Dissing Minorities

Critics say that top contenders focused on core white base

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 27, 2007 2:01 PM CDT
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(Newser) – The African-American audience watching tonight's GOP presidential debate will see four empty lecterns representing the front-runners who declined to participate. Since the top three also declined a Spanish-language forum, the Los Angeles Times wonders why they're snubbing minority voters. Scheduling-conflict excuses don't cut it; more plausible is fear of alienating their conservative white base.

Already under scrutiny over their conservative credentials, the candidates may feel that they can't risk answering questions on issues important to minorities. It's a dramatic shift from 2004, when Bush’s wooing of African Americans helped cement his  re-election. “When you consistently regret invitations to appear in front of black audiences," notes debate moderator Tavis Smiley, "I think that's a pattern and not a scheduling problem.”

Two-year-old Chanel Kenney goes eye-to-eye with presidential hopeful, former U.S. Sen., Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., at the annual Seacoast Republican Women's chili fest during a campaign stop in Stratham, N.H., Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)
Two-year-old Chanel Kenney goes eye-to-eye with presidential hopeful, former U.S. Sen., Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., at the annual Seacoast Republican Women's chili fest during a campaign stop in Stratham,...   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., greets veterans after speaking at the Veterans of Foreign Wars national convention Monday, Aug. 20, 2007 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., greets veterans after speaking at the Veterans of Foreign Wars national convention Monday, Aug. 20, 2007 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie...   (Associated Press)
Former President Bill Clinton, right, signs a copy of his book for journalist Tavis Smiley after an event to promote his new book Giving Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007 in New York. Clinton's book, Giving, which deals with tackling global issues through philanthropy, innovative business practices and other ways was released...
Former President Bill Clinton, right, signs a copy of his book for journalist Tavis Smiley after an event to promote his new book "Giving" Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007 in New York. Clinton's book, "Giving,"...   (Associated Press)
US NEWS STATEOFBLACKUNION 4 NN
US NEWS STATEOFBLACKUNION 4 NN   (KRT Photos)
Republican presidential hopefuls former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, left, embraces former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, as Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., walks by after the Republican debate at University of South Carolina's Koger Center for the Arts, Tuesday, May 15, 2007, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Republican presidential hopefuls former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, left, embraces former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, as Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., walks by after the Republican debate at University...   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopefuls, from left, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., pose on stage before the Republican presidential debate Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007, at theUniversity of New Hampshire campus in Durham, N.H. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)
Republican presidential hopefuls, from left, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., pose on stage before the Republican presidential...   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential candidates Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and former New York city Mayor Rudy Giuliani talk during a break in the ABC News Republican presidential debate at Drake University in Des Moines, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2007. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is seen at right. (AP Photo/Kevin Sanders)
Republican presidential candidates Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and former New York city Mayor Rudy Giuliani talk during a break in the ABC News Republican presidential debate at Drake University in Des...   (Associated Press)
Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney (L), former New York...
Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney (L), former New York...   (Getty Images)
Republican Presidential hopeful and former Sen. Fred Thompson,R-Tenn., makes his remarks during a campaign stop Monday Sept. 10, 2007, in Columbia, S.C. Thompson said Monday that while Osama bin Laden needs to be caught and killed, the terrorist mastermind would get the due process of law. (AP Photo/Mary...
Republican Presidential hopeful and former Sen. Fred Thompson,R-Tenn., makes his remarks during a campaign stop Monday Sept. 10, 2007, in Columbia, S.C. Thompson said Monday that while Osama bin Laden...   (Associated Press)
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Critics of the snub speak up
Reuters

Rightist blogger compares the non-appearance to Dems declining an invitation from the NRA
Newsbusters

 
Mitt Romney • John McCain • Rudy Giuliani • Fred Thompson • Univision • Tavis Smiley • African-American voters • George W. Bush

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