Don’t you feel like you just can’t keep up with these debates? I know I do.

Here’s a report from USAToday:

BALTIMORE (AP) — 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.

I cannot understand for the life of me why the top Republican candidates keep skipping debates. What the heck are they afraid of? If these people can’t take questions from Tavis Smiley, how will they debate Hillary Clinton?

Seriously, I am just in awe of the fact they continue skipping debates like this one. I’m sorry but the last time I checked the Republican Party doesn’t get 100% of the African-American vote so why not participate in a debate like this one?

Among the Republicans who have criticized the leading contenders for skipping the forum are former House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia, and former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, the first black official elected statewide in Maryland.

“I’m puzzled by their decision. I can’t speak for them. I think it’s a mistake,” Gingrich, who is considering joining the race for the GOP nomination, said this week.

I agree with them, it is a mistake and it will come back to haunt the Republican candidate. Unless of course the Republican candidate ends up being someone like Mick Huckabee.

If you missed the debate, rest assured we will have the entire debate video up here in a few days, look for another announcement or keep checking our 2008 video section.

Update

The entire debate video is now available here:

9/27/07 - Video: PBS Republican debate from Morgan State University

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