If the NRA or AIPAC was hosting the GOP debate in Baltimore would the four front runners have come

[Robson]

If AIPAC or NRA was hosting a Republican debate, instead of Tavis Smiley at Morgan State Univ. and a predominantly African American group, would Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, Fred Thompson and Mitt Romney have adjusted their busy schedules?

I'd think you could feel safe betting your life they would have forgone their own mother's funeral to attend an AIPAC or NRA debate (edited to add following) but that's only my opinion and not intended to push the poll.

To be 100% fair it should be noted that some of the Repubs such as Ron Paul did appear.

[BridgeTheGap]

1. Only if the checks were ready

No money - no play

[Arkansas Granny]

2. There's no doubt in my mind that the venue had a lot to do with

their absence. I didn't watch, but the report of the debate and Tavis Smiley's remarks tell me a lot.

Tavis Smiley, the television host who moderated both PBS forums, said at the outset: “Some of the campaigns who declined our invitations to join us tonight have suggested publicly that this audience would be hostile and unreceptive. Since we are live on PBS right now, I can’t tell you what I really think of these kinds of comments.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/28/us/politics/28repubs.html?ref=politics

It would appear that some of the candidates are going to use Bush's tactics of always appearing before a friendly audience.

[rucky]

3. too bad. I'm a big Tavis Smiley fan.

he would've been fair. tough, but fair.

on edit: I didn't even know that it had already happened.

[madrchsod]

4. they`d be there with......

"Rings on their fingers and bells on their toes". what a grand entrance they would have made

[Bitwit1234]

5. They all showed up for the NRA national meeting didn't they.