5 GOP candidates commit to Baltimore debate (No Fred, Rudy McRomney, but there are Hunter and Paul)

Baltimore Sun ^ | 09/22/2007 | David Nitkin

[Ultra Sonic 007]

Just five Republican candidates - half the invited field - will take part in Thursday's presidential debate in Baltimore, event organizers said yesterday.

The four leading contenders, Rudolph W. Giuliani, John McCain, Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson, have each said they will not participate in the forum focusing on issues facing minority voters. Their absence has drawn the ire of Tavis Smiley, the talk-show host who is moderating and organizing the debate at Morgan State University; he said the candidates are making a mistake in not reaching out to black voters.

A list of confirmed participants released yesterday also omits Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado, a staunch opponent of current immigration policy. Confirmed are Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Alan L. Keyes of Maryland, Rep. Duncan Hunter of California and Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, organizers said.

Also yesterday, former Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele, the chairman of GOPAC, a Republican political action committee, said in a statement that he was "hopeful" each missing candidate would "adjust his schedule" to participate.

[Ultra Sonic 007]

At least I know for a fact that some of those attending won't be pandering.

[Ultra Sonic 007]

Hunter ping!

Set your calender for this Thursday, ladies and gentlemen.

[Ultra Sonic 007]

Paul ping.

[lormand]

Let's hope and pray that Ron Paul loses his quest for American suicide, then in November 08' Ron Paul loses his congressional seat.

The people in his district deserve so much better than that nutball.

[counterpunch]

Good for the 1st and 2nd tier candidates to not participate in these special interest group pander fests.

[Calpernia]

B4DH!

[RasterMaster]

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[counterpunch]

You think any of Paul’s supporters will even watch this debate, considering that it turns out most of them are neo-nazis?

[RoadKingSE]

I suggest body armor for all. They don’t call it Bodymore, Murderlan’ for nuttin hon. Oh and thanks for halting that crime wave before leaving the Mayor’s office for the Govervenor’s Mansion O’Malley!

[pissant]

Thank goodness, no John Cox. Unfortunately, Alan ‘reparations’ Keyes will be blowing his hot air again.

[Calpernia]

Steele Calls Morgan State Debate A Chance To "Put Up Or Shut Up" For GOP Candidates

Excerpt:

Former Lt. Governor Michael Steele says Republican presidential candidates should participate in a scheduled presidential debate aimed at African American voters, that is scheduled for September 27 at Morgan State University.

Steele, who heads GOPAC, a political action committee that helps Republican candidates, told WBAL's "Kendel and Bob Show" Saturday that he's been contacted by debate moderator and PBS talk show host Tavis Smiley to help convince candidates to appear in the debate.

(snip)

"I think it's an important opportunity for Republican candidates to put up or shut up, when ti comes to minority communities in the country," Steele said.

(snip)

[fetal heart beats by 21st day]

Good for all the MEN from the Republican side who have the spine to participate.

This is no panderfest, and Tavis Smiley, to me, seems to be of good will.

He asked better questions of the dems than most of the trained MSM.

Go Duncan Hunter!

[traderrob6]

“This is no panderfest, and Tavis Smiley, to me, seems to be of good will.”

BWAAAAHAHAHAHA

[George W. Bush]

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[Scutter]

The people in his district deserve so much better than that nutball.

Just out of curiosity, what exactly makes you consider him a nutball? Is there anything other than his position on the Iraq war?

[RasterMaster]

As far as I’m concerned, the “top tier” RINOs can voluntarily stay out of the rest of the debates as well. Getting tired of hearing that whiney little LIEberaltarian Ron Paul too.

[Ultra Sonic 007]

Tell that to Duncan Hunter, who if you recall got applause from NALEO (the National Association of Latino Elected Officials) when he spoke of his ideas concerning border security and stopping illegal immigration. He got applause.

Duncan Hunter, who went to the Katrina HOPE Summit and told the people of New Orleans that more government entitlements were not the answer, but less government, and more individual responsibility. He got booed.

If he gets booed or applauded, at least we know that Hunter won’t be pandering.

[Calpernia]

GOP front-runners ‘ignoring’ blacks?

Excerpt:

Republican presidential candidates — the presumed front-runners at least — are making themselves scarce for a Sept. 27 debate, said to be “African-American oriented” and organized by talk show host Travis Smiley. It’s scheduled for Baltimore’s historically black Morgan State University and will be aired by PBS.

As of now, only U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, and U.S. Reps. Duncan Hunter of California, Tom Tancredo of Colorado and Ron Paul of Texas will participate. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee are sending regrets — much to the ire of Smiley and his fans.

“No one should be elected president of this country in 2008 if they ignore people of color,” said Smiley. “”If they want to be president of all America they need to speak to all Americans.”

(snip)

[NordP]

Thanks for the ping.

It will be very nice to actually HEAR from Duncan Hunter since the others won't be taking up all the time.

[pissant]

I don’t think Hunter or Paul will have a single pandering word to say.