Dean, Clark, Kerry haven't accepted NAACP invite...

[wyldwolf]

South Carolina NAACP leaders have convinced six Democratic presidential hopefuls to crisscross the country and attend a presidential forum at the civil rights group's annual convention on Friday.

By Tuesday, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean and retired Gen. Wesley Clark were the only candidates who have not yet accepted an invitation to participate in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People round-table discussion on minority issues.

"If they really want their people to know where they stand on certain issues, they should be there," state NAACP President James Gallman said.

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/local/6954296.htm

Didn't several dem candidates "apologize" for a similar situation a few months back?

[diplomats]

1. Doesn't this conflict with some other event?

I could be wrong.

[blm]

2. They are all being pulled at, ans sometimes unfairly.

They are together the night before for a debate, and to have to appear again the very next day as a group is a tough call when you already have other events scheduled. The group appearances tend to DILUTE their messages, imo.

[AP]

5. I think 60% of Registered Dems in SC are black, and SC is

a very very important state (IA and NH losers have gone on to win SC and then win the nomination).

To ignore this event, I think, is a big mistake.

I'm sure Edwards would prefer to have SC all to himself. However, even though I'm rooting for Edwards, I still think the other candidates would be mad to pass on this event.

[sangh0]

3. Yes, let's keep criticizing Dems for not showing up

and forget ALL about Bush*. Is Bush* attending, or did we forget to even ask?

[wyldwolf]

4. This isn't a criticism...

...I posted a news item and asked a question. wow!

[w4rma]

6. information on the situation a few months back

…
As many as four of the nine candidates have refused to participate in the forum, expressing reluctance to appear on stage with their rivals in a debate format, NAACP officials said.

As of late Saturday, Sens. John Edwards of North Carolina and Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut and Reps. Richard Gephardt of Missouri and Dennis Kucinich of Ohio were not expected to attend. Sen. Bob Graham of Florida was scheduled to attend, along with former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, former Illinois Sen. Carol Moseley Braun and the Rev. Al Sharpton. Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry plans to go to the convention, but his campaign is pressing for a change in the debate format.
…
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/6291857.htm
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=108&topic_id=1934

Leiberman, Gephardt, Kucinich declared persona non grata by NAACP pres.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=108&topic_id=2506

Dems Who Missed Forum to Address NAACP
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=108&topic_id=3544

[Fabio]

7. These articles are form July.

The SC NAACP convention is a different event altogether.

[wyldwolf]

11. Perhaps you should read the last line of the original post...

[Khephra]

8. Dean's said he's trying to figure out a way to be there

And as someone who has chided others for not making it, yes, I will be upset with him if he doesn't.

[w4rma]

9. "And they say former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean is trying to work it in."

…
Now convention organizers say Sens. John Edwards of North Carolina and Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Reps. Dick Gephardt of Missouri and Dennis Kucinich of Ohio will attend. And they say former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean is trying to work it in.
…
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/local/6950426.htm

[JohnKleeb]

14. good glad Dennis can make it

I am gonna be pleased to see him tonight in DC.

[WhosNext]

10. Good, the last thing I want is pandering.

[AP]

12. Yeah. Me too. Who wants votes? Not me.

I'm going to repeat: something like 60% of registered dems in SC are black.

SC is a critical state. If you take SC, you're probably going to win.

Also, the NAACP is a major, serious, respectable organization that probably has more legitimacy and sway over its members and over non-members then just about any political organization other than maybe NOW and the Sierra Club.

[gully]

13. It's an important event, and the NAACP is an important organization

they had better show.

[Adjoran]

15. I wonder

exactly WHEN this was first scheduled?

Sure, it is an important event, but if they only recently came up with the forum idea, it is a bit much to expect all the candidates to adjust their schedules on short notice. Other debates were announced months ahead of time.