Reply #26: Just to clarify the situation, four candidates had agreed to [View All]

[DemBones DemBones]

participate in this debate. Dennis Kucinich, Carol Moseley-Braun, and Al Sharpton kept their commitments; Howard Dean was represented by an empty chair.

John Edwards, Dick Gephardt, John Kerry, and Joe Lieberman were also missing but since they'd never made a commitment to the debate, no chairs were set up for them. The absence of five out of eight candidates was mentioned, though, in addition to specific mention of Dean's absence.

This was not a typical (i.e. same old, same old) debate. Many, perhaps most, of the questions in the DC debate dealt with the issue of DC statehood, which is supported by DK, CMB, and Sharpton, and with problems in the District and how to solve them.

It made me angry to see that five of the candidates didn't care about issues of concern to the District's majority African-American population. If I were black, I suppose I'd be used to politicians' callous disregard for black people. Dems take the black vote for granted and that's a mistake that will eventually cost us.

On the positive side, it was a real treat to see the three most progressive candidates have some air time to discuss their positions on issues. DK, CMB, and Sharpton were very comfortable with each other and dealt with interruptions with grace and humor. (Interruptions were the radio host having to break for weather/ traffic bulletins; two Larouche supporters attempting to disrupt the event.)