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GOP debate is marked by jabs at absences
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Republican presidential candidates discussed the importance of reaching out to people of color during a minority issues debate Thursday night and criticized the four leading GOP contenders for skipping it.
"I think this is a disgrace that they are not here," said 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."
The no-shows -- Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson, John McCain and Mitt Romney -- cited scheduling conflicts in not attending the debate at Morgan State University in Baltimore.
Moderator Tavis Smiley jabbed at the no-shows, saying, "Some of the campaigns who declined ... have suggested publicly that this audience would be hostile and unreceptive. Since we're live on PBS right now, I can't tell you what I really think of these kinds of comments." Rep. Duncan Hunter, Rep. Ron Paul, Rep. Tom Tancredo and Alan Keyes also attended.
WORTH NOTING
Republican Fred Thompson said he was unaware that a judge ruled last week that lethal injection procedures in his home state were unconstitutional and that the U.S. Supreme Court had agreed to consider a Kentucky case about whether lethal injection violates the Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment.
It's not the first time he has been caught off-guard on hot-button topics. In Florida, he seemed surprised when asked about oil drilling in the Everglades, a major issue there. He also gave no opinion when asked about efforts by President Bush and Congress to keep brain-damaged Terri Schiavo alive two years ago, saying he did not remember the details.
Republican John McCain touted his experience in saying the United States would be safer with him as president than his rivals. "This is all about who is best equipped to take on the challenge of radical Islamic extremism."
Democrat John Edwards signed onto the public campaign financing system he once rejected with the belief he could raise more money on his own.
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