Republican Hopefuls railed for skipping debate at historically black college

[Swift]

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=3662989

Basically, the top 4 guys in the Republican race for president didn't come to a debate at Morgan St University in Maryland.

Now, I am a black man in Maryland. I don't live far from Morgan St and was invited to attend. I didn't. Why? Because this state is so blue that any debate doesn't matter. I think the last time a republican won this state was with Reagan.

There are a lot of black people in Maryland and they have a slavish devotion to the democratic party and the other 4 candidates KNOW that. Why should they use up their very precious time to convince people that they very well know won't be voting republican for the most part. I'd really like to see someone give a good reason for a republican presidential candidate TO show up in Maryland.

 

[FoolKiller]

You aren't thinking like politics Swift. Yes, sensibly they have no reason to show up and basically get booed every other sentence. However, they are in politics and showing up prevents political backlash.

I personally have no issues with any politician not attending any event, but I think any time they do that they open themselves to ridicule. Plus, if I were a politician I would take every chance I had to show up and say my piece. Sure, the majority of the audience might not care, but one or two people may like what you are saying. One of these four will most likely win the nomination, but now when it comes time to run against a Democrat that one or two that might realize they like him won't have had that realization and will vote the opposite of what they would otherwise do. Granted in an electoral college that doesn't matter a whole lot, but I still think you shoudl fight for every vote, because if it comes down to a difference of a handful you can turn that electoral district to your favor.


While I personally see nothing wrong with what they did, I think they are taking a strategic risk, especially since this was a primary debate and those present would most likely be Republicans. I can't imagine Democrats showing up at a Republican debate unless they were at least open minded to what Republicans have to say.

And then take into account the bad press and they may have lost black votes across the country. What do minority voters who agree with some Republican ideas do when they have been persuaded by the PR machine that these people don't care about them enough to even have a debate in their presence?

If these candidates cannot think about how the PR machine works then they won't have much of a chance down the road, no matter their policies.

 

[Touring Mars]

I'd really like to see someone give a good reason for a republican presidential candidate TO show up in Maryland.

Reagan was elected 'only' 26 years ago - has the state of Maryland really become irreversibly Democrat since then? Not being content with the status quo and fighting for every vote you can seems like all the reasons any presidential candidate should need to visit anywhere...

Shying away from debates and giving up so-called 'lost causes' is basically giving tacit approval to the idea of voting with your feet. Maybe some/most would-be presidents are perfectly happy to be elected by people who vote(d) with their feet, but surely that's something that should be challenged in a nation that is supposed to be the champion of democracy?

 

[Swift]

I hear what you're saying FK and it makes sense. But being a Marylander and knowing that I'm in the gross minority(for being conservative) I think it's a pointless move. It'd be like going to an Eagles game and trying to convince the fans that the Eagles suck. Not going to happen and they'll use irrational statements to back it up. That's the texture of black voters in Maryland.

I mean, they elected a white democrat over a black republican after the democratic party ousted the possible black candidate, Quwasi Infume, for the US Senate. These people literally don't care. The current governor let Baltimore become one of the most dangerous cities in the country and they still elected him!

On a nation scale, you are probably right. But I really don't think it'll have that large of an effect if any.

Reagan was elected 'only' 26 years ago - has the state of Maryland really become irreversibly Democrat since then? Not being content with the status quo and fighting for every vote you can seems like all the reasons any presidential candidate should need to visit anywhere...

Shying away from debates and giving up so-called 'lost causes' is basically giving tacit approval to the idea of voting with your feet. Maybe some/most would-be presidents are perfectly happy to be elected by people who vote(d) with their feet, but surely that's something that should be challenged in a nation that is supposed to be the champion of democracy?

Yes it is. Granted we voted in a Republican Governor for one term. But that was because the previous governor was a complete moron. We have a veto proof majority in the legislature. So basically the republican governors couldn't do much of anything. Then they turn around and blame him for not getting anything done.

TM, I hear what your saying. I'm just saying I live hear, talk politics a lot and know that black people are going to vote democrat(by and large) unless a democrat is caught doing something bad to a black person.

 

[FoolKiller]

I'm just saying I live hear, talk politics a lot and know that black people are going to vote democrat(by and large) unless a democrat is caught doing something bad to a black person.

Isn't that what they do every time they make policy?

 

[Duke]

Republicans hate black people. Kanye said so. End of discussion.

 

[Swift]

Isn't that what they do every time they make policy?

Amen!

Republicans hate black people. Kanye said so. End of discussion.

You would actually think that's true. These rappers have a greater political influence then the actual politicians. All one of those guys has to say is what that little punk Kanye West said and republicans are just against black people. Forget the voting record for civil rights(I'm talking the mid 20th century not slavery). Man, it must be nice to have a devoted section of the population that will vote for you no matter what huh?

 

[FoolKiller]

These rappers have a greater political influence then the actual politicians.

This works both ways. Think Country Music.

 

[V1P3R]

A country music singer being influential?

 

[FoolKiller]

A country music singer being influential?

Come on out to Kentucky and see how many times you hear "Do you Remember" and "Courtesy of the Red White and Blue." Heck, I even heard "God Bless America" (Or whatever the Lee Greenwood song was called) the other day, and I wasn't on a country station.

 

[V1P3R]

God no... I'd slit my wrists before that ever happened.

 

[Azuremen]

Come on out to Kentucky and see how many times you hear "Do you Remember" and "Courtesy of the Red White and Blue." Heck, I even heard "God Bless America" (Or whatever the Lee Greenwood song was called) the other day, and I wasn't on a country station.

Not just Kentucky, but basically any rural area. I know, as I am from a relatively low population area dedicated to agriculture or logging. Majority of radio stations are country, and only reason you here hip hop and rap is because of the college kids from urban areas, and are all original white gangsta wannabes. I get WTF looks from everyone though because I listen to Jazz, Classical and Techno primarily.

I see the whole idea both FK and TM are getting at, in that skipping out does bring up problems, but at the same time, being there would to. I'm certain some topic would come up that was so in favor of the liberals that it would be a death trap for any conservative to answer. And then what do you have but negative media attention for them "offending" attendees or avoiding the question. Its a lose lose situation in my mind, they just come out a bit ahead by not wasting their time currently.

It has nothing to do with black people, etc. But thats of course what people are going to try to make it out to be

 

[Keichi Tsuchiya]

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=3662989

...Now, I am a black man in Maryland. I don't live far from Morgan St and was invited to attend. I didn't. Why? Because this state is so blue that any o the democratic party and the other 4 candidates KNOW that...

...But being a Marylander and knowing that I'm in the gross minority(for being conservative) I think it's a pointless move. It'd be like going to an Eagles game and trying to convince the fans that the Eagles suck. Not going to happen and they'll use irrational statements to back it up. That's the texture of black voters in Maryland...

...I mean, they elected a white democrat over a black republican after the democratic party ousted the possible black candidate, Quwasi Infume, for the US Senate. These people literally don't care...

...I'm just saying I live hear, talk politics a lot and know that black people are going to vote democrat(by and large) unless a democrat is caught doing something bad to a black person.

What?! Black, Republican... Same sentence and no negative?! What? How?! B-... Wai-... ehhhh...hmmmm...


Do you happen to be related to P.K. Winsome?

 

[Solid Fro]

It has nothing to do with black people, etc. But thats of course what people are going to try to make it out to be

Exactly. That is why ABC reported on it. Make **** out of nothing.

 

[Tornado]

I think the last time a republican won this state was with Reagan.

Herbert Walker.

I'd really like to see someone give a good reason for a republican presidential candidate TO show up in Maryland.

Because if they aren't even going to bother trying to show up at a potential area for voters, it doesn't inspire great confidence to the potential voters in other places. At least it doesn't to me.

 

[Swift]

Herbert Walker.

Thanks.

Because if they aren't even going to bother trying to show up at a potential area for voters, it doesn't inspire great confidence to the potential voters in other places. At least it doesn't to me.

I see what you're saying. But I believe Azureman was correct. It's a lose-lose. They CAN'T win Maryland. It's just not going to happen, so why put effort into in impossible situation when you can do the same thing in a swing state like Iowa, South Carolina or Florida?

 

[Omnis]

I watched the debate on PBS. The NPR people and the general attitude of the debate was so disgustingly collectivist.

The other candidates are not showing up because they want to keep their "lead". They all know that the more they open their mouth, the less voters they keep.

 

[Tornado]

I see what you're saying. But I believe Azureman was correct. It's a lose-lose. They CAN'T win Maryland. It's just not going to happen, so why put effort into in impossible situation when you can do the same thing in a swing state like Iowa, South Carolina or Florida?

Don't get me wrong: I somewhat agree with their decision, especially since campaigning is so expensive. I'm just saying that the attempt alone to try and win a state has very real symbolic value in my eyes (though noticeably less than their policies themdelves) into how they will act when the going gets tough, value which is much more than lost when both:

1. they don't bother to try to win a state
2. it is as overblown as this is.