Leading GOP Contenders Pass on the Debate

Clearly, the intention was to humiliate the Republican candidates who declined to participate in last night's debate.

The empty podiums were meant to be a constant reminder that the four top tier candidates were no-shows.

It was a stunt, political theater staged to give the illusion that the Republican Party neglects minorities.

BALTIMORE -- Republican presidential candidates discussed the importance of reaching out to people of color during a minority issues debate Thursday night and criticized the leading four GOP contenders for skipping it.

"I think this is a disgrace that they are not here," said Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback. "I think it's a disgrace to our country. I think it's bad for our party, and I don't think it's good for our future."

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said he was "embarrassed for our party, and I'm embarrassed for those who didn't come."

The four no-shows — former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Sen. Fred Thompson, Arizona Sen. John McCain and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney — cited scheduling conflicts in saying they could not attend the debate at historically black Morgan State University.

"Fortunately, there are those in the Republican Party who do understand the importance of reaching out to people of color," said talk show host Tavis Smiley, the debate moderator, thanking the six other candidates for participating.

Besides Brownback and Huckabee, the other candidates who participated in the debate were: Reps. Duncan Hunter of California, Ron Paul of Texas and Tom Tancredo of Colorado, and conservative activist Alan L. Keyes.

The forum, which had black and Hispanic journalists questioning the candidates, was broadcast live on PBS.

Tavis Smiley is ticked off.

The debate moderator decided not to be moderate. Smiley slammed Giuliani, McCain, Romney, and Thompson for not showing up at the PBS party.

It's Smiley's debate and he can cry if he wants to.

The six candidates who did participate should be thankful that they had the opportunity to get out of the shadow of the top contenders for once. They didn't have to compete with them.

In addition to taking jabs at the Big Four, they had more time to discuss their positions.

For example:

Huckabee said he would want his legacy in helping minorities to be more equal treatment for them in the criminal justice system. Brownback said he would continue to push for the National Museum of African-American History and Culture in Washington. Keyes spoke of bringing more religious values into schools.

Paul received loud applause when he told the audience that minorities are unfairly punished in the criminal justice system. He also called for ending the war on drugs. "It isn't working," Paul said.

There Paul goes again, playing to his fanatical base.

Paul is anti-war when it comes to drugs and Iraq.

Does he think easing up on penalties for drug use and dealing will have a positive impact on minority communities?

Tancredo said two things have mostly hurt blacks economically and more than race: the welfare state and "the importation of millions upon millions of low-income workers that depress the wage rates."

"Those two things are responsible," he said.

Hunter said the key to securing Iraq and bringing home U.S. troops is to get Iraq's army battle-hardened and capable of defending the country from insurgents.

Brownback and Hunter both had harsh words for the no-shows. Brownback called their absence a disgrace to the country. Huckabee claimed to be embarrassed for the Republican Party as well as the missing candidates.

That's posturing.

Did Brownback and Huckabee consider it to be an embarrassment when the Spanish-language TV network Univision-sponsored debate was cancelled because John McCain was the only one willing to participate?

Was that a disgrace?

Was it embarrassing when the Republican candidates rejected the opportunity to take part in the LOGO Debate on LGBT issues -- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender?

There's an inconsistency to the embarrassment exhibited by Brownback and Huckabee.

The only people more interested in scoring political points off of the absence of the Big Four than the second and third tier Republican candidates are the Democrats and their mouthpieces in the lib media.

No doubt, the images of the empty podiums will be exploited by the Dems. PBS literally staged a campaign ad for them.