Political Punch

James thanks for the correction.

Spock, actually it was Thurgood Marshall who was the first African-American appointed to the U. S. Supreme Court. And it was President Lyndon B. Johnson who appointed him back in 1967. President George H. W. Bush appointed Clarence Thomas to succeed Justice Marshall in 1991.

Reyonthehill, so it's "a sign of the indecency of the GOP," for the Republicans to want liberate those parts of Black America who remain enslaved by the federal government -- an enslavement that the Democratic Party has kept them in for the last 50 years?

What Kanye West said.

reyonthehill - so I guess the libs are very indecent because they refused to go to a debate held by the National Black Caucus!

Reaching out or speaking on black issues is not an appropriate action for persons looking to show off their conservative-base bona fides. It is a sign of the indecency of the GOP.

What I do not understand is why minorities support the Lib/Democrats anyhow? Do they not know History? They honored an KKK recruiter this week (Sen Byrd), they fought against the Civil Rights Bill, They fought on the side of the South! If all that is not going to have them support the Republicans, then what will?

The Republicans have done more for minorities alone in the past 7 years then the Libs have done ever!

Pres Bush 41 put the first American-African on the supreme court, Pres Bush 43 the First American-African Secretary of State, and then the first American-African Female sec of state (who should run for Prez) The first Hispanic AG, who both get attacked by the Lib/Dems un-mercilessly and a whole lot more.

Who or what did the Clintons do?

During Pres Bush 43's term more minorities bought houses, made it to college, became richer!

What have the Clintons done?

All the Clintons want to do is keep minorities and other poor dependant on them!

Let's say the NRA sponsored a debate on Second Ammendment issues and abuse of government power, to be held at Ruby Ridge, on the anniversary of that incident, to be broadcast on the 700 Club? How many Liberal candidates would make the correct decision--for their campaigns' sake--and avoid that debate? I'm thinking all of them, and they would say that they are vitally concerned about those issues, but would choose to reach those voters in their own way. Ditto for the GOP candidates, who choose to avoid a no-show of a network like PBS, which couldn't exist on its own merits. PBS is a safe, subsidized haven of Liberal commentators who like not having to earn a living (that is, actually compete for listeners and viewers). Why would any GOP candidate further the myth that PBS matters by attending such a debate? All candidates have to care about black, brown, red, and yellow issues, and will choose to reach those voters in their own way. Why, one could buy a political ad during 'Wheel of Fortune' and reach more viewers than PBS News gets in a year.

Sometimes its the wise that here the WORD,,but the repetative issues of minorities must be like the smoke in a California fire//it takes the experianced to see thru such things..last year I listened to the CRIME-stats...here in CT and was a bit confused since every nite there were murders and bank robberies..attempted rape and total outward sloven desires..SO WHAT'S the ISSUE..some sort of a Diaper needs to be applied-yet the issue response in the minorities echo's nothing but money..most times there's a religious masquerade in the high crime area's..its a big T-shirt Bazaar..some of the minority neighborhood's would sell your flesh into a grave for T-shirt sales..religion in the HOOD-is a joke..so what's a debate to do...laugh along..in the white neighborhood's its a Sing-a-Long....the place is getting loonier every year..I live in a low rent neighborhood//and the past three year's have me tracking it by the smell..every year the smell gets worse..and the attitudes increase in the money-scope of some invisible brain(mind)leadership..business entity(who freakin' knows)..I went to a MEETING that was to represent the living condition..and found the people holding this meeting to be VOID of restraint on corruption..I actually was able to see a person running for office--that I surely will NOT vote for(that's about all-was carried away)..the people are nothing but EXCUSE-makers..life is one big excuse.

Watts labors under the assumption that he exists. Silly him.

The Republicans have to be prepared to offer their message wherever the opportunity presents itself -- including a network like PBS. If only one person came away accepting the Republican message, that is one more than they would have had. Preaching to the choir works when you want to solidify your base. Granted that IS what the primaries are all about. BUT if you really want to reach out and expand your base and offer an alternative viewpoint to others, you have to go where they are -- and NOT just during the general election. Because by then it's too late.

It is a debate focused on the issues they should hold on this issue but not with a left leaning organization like PBS. As we saw with MSNBC's debate it was a joke, they should hold an open forum and take serious questions about the issues on this. They should use ABC or Fox (Fox channel 5 here)

Did not the Republicans hold a debate for the Black Caucasus that the Libs refused to? Where was the outrage? Your right they take their vote for granted.

Truthfully Fred had the best idea on debating hold multiple debates one on one or two and they sit at a table and are given a topic and they discuss it.

Sorry Spock, I have to disagree with you and agree with Sophillyfatz and Chuck on this issue. The Republican front runners ignoring the African-American and Hispanic communities is extremely problematic. The President of the United States is the President for the entire United States. And anyone who wants to be President needs to listen to, and address, their concerns. Sure they may be heckled and even ridiculed, but at the same time how else is the Republican Party going to get its message across? The Democratic Party takes the African-American and Hispanic communities for granted. And they will continue to do so unless, and until, the Republican Party quits the "talk" and actually does the "walk" WITHIN these communities.

Minorities now make up the majority in 1 out of every 10 counties throughout the United States; and the majority in four states: Hawaii, California, New Mexico and Texas. It is projected that by 2050 minorities will become the majority for the entire United States. If the Republican Party wants to even be around in 43 years it better get its act together NOW.

Wasn't it one of Karl Rove's most cherished goals to increase the number of Hispanic voters registered as Republicans? Wasn't it the President's goal to make the Republicans more friendly to African-Americans? Well, the Republicans certainly have a very strange way of accomplishing those goals, with all of the leading candidates ignoring issues of race and race relations, claiming "scheduling conflicts" and other such nonsense. Could it be that none of the candidates would have felt comfortable being asked the questions they would have been asked? Could it also be that the candidates only want to play to their bases, none of which includes the intended audience of the debate?

I do not blame them, they finally got it why be attacked by a Liberal organization, where you can see they are turning it into a Race issue. So if they continue when are they going to condemn the Libs for turning down a debate with a national Black caucus!!! No if they would only put the same rules Clinton has!! Oh that is right they answer tough questions.

Republican Party leaders have written off the Black and Hispanic voting group for the foreseeable future.These voters should respond in kind by writing off the GOP in 2007, 2008, and in the future.