Tonight’s presidential debate in Las Vegas will focus on African American and Hispanic issues. The cosponsors include 100 Black Men of America, the African American Democratic Leadership Council, the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, IMPACTO and the College of Southern Nevada.
Albert E. Dotson Jr., chairman of 100 Black Men, said:
It is critical that those who seek to lead our country focus on how to provide equal access to quality educational opportunities, address well documented health disparities between African Americans and other groups, promote economic empowerment among the truly disadvantaged, and create a positive environment that supports meaningful mentoring relationships for our youth.
Now that a truce has been called in their racial sparring, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama may be able to focus on racial disparities and other critical issues facing our country. Still, debate moderator Brian Williams should have a referee stand by to keep Clinton and Obama apart, and watch out for sucker punches from John Edwards.
Obama may be asked to respond to Rep. John Lewis’ comments on “The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer:”
I think there’s been a deliberate, systematic attempt on the part of some people in the Obama camp to really fan the flames of race, and really try to distort what Sen. Clinton said.
And Clinton may be asked whether she thinks BET Founder Robert Johnson hit below the belt when he alluded to Obama’s past drug use.
Johnson has since called Obama a "safe Negro." He told the Washington Post:
White America is saying, "He's safe for us, he should be safe for you guys." We're letting other people pick our leaders.
The Obama campaign -- win, lose or draw -- is going to have to address race. If we don't have this debate about race within the Democratic Party . . . we could find ourselves with a division in this party as we go up against whoever the Republicans put up.
The debate will air at 9 pm ET on MSNBC. You can suggest a question for the candidates here.
