Obama skips state of the black union forum

[micfranklin]

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (CNN) -- The annual State of the Black Union forum boasts a number of famous names as it gets under way in New Orleans, but this year's event is getting much more attention for who won't be there.

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York, was the only major presidential candidate to accept an invitation to attend.

Her rival, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, declined, as did Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

But it's Obama's absence that's prompted both controversy and a backlash against Tavis Smiley, the organizer of the event who has openly criticized Obama's decision.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/23/obama.sobu/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

As much as I'm a fan of Obama it's a shame he decided to miss out on this. IMO this would've increased his appeal further, especially considering the black population in New Orleans.

What say you all?

[Elrathin]

"In the final stretch, I will be on the campaign trail every day in states like Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin talking directly with voters about the causes that are at the heart of my campaign and the State of the Black Union forum," Obama wrote.

If the issues of the Black Union Forum are truly important, than the fact he is not there but still raising the issues should be the important thing.

[preservanation]

OMG. they right out of the leftwing looney bin.
Radio personality Tavis Smiley engaged a range of panelists that included Congressional Black Caucus chair Rep. Mel Watt, educator Cornel West, entertainer/activist Harry Belafonte, author/economist Julianne Malveaux, National Urban League President Marc Morial, former SCLC president Rev. Joseph Lowery, Nation of Islam leader Min. Louis Farrakhan, National Action Network head Rev. Al Sharpton
If Obama is smart he wouldn't get within 100 miles of this forum, or these people.

Obama's leading, no reason to torpedo himself with the "Right of Insanity" crowd by snuggling up to these race bating communists.
He has enough problems with Hillary, why help her?

[bishop]

personally, i give obama lots of credit for skipping that b.s. forum. white candidates get flamed by the sharpton types all the time for skipping their racist conferences - but to see a fellow black man do the same is commendable. obama doesn't need to waste time with racists to talk about how the "system" (i.e. the white man) is oppressing blacks, especially since he's mighty close to becoming the most powerful man on the planet.