African Americans while overwhelmingly democrats like all Americans have varying political views and interests. Republicans may not recieve a large percentage of African American votes but there is no reason that issues such as the Iraq war, inner city crime, school choice, no child left behind and tax credits that have had benefit to the poor and middle class such as the earned income credit and additional child tax credit couldn’t be used to stimulate support among the black community.

At a time when partisanship is at an all time it doesn’t do the country any favors for either political party whether it’s Democrats boycotting Fox or Republcans refusing to participate in debates focusing on minority issues to ignore groups that are seen to be traditionally conservative or liberal.

The is no upside for the Republican candidates. Why should the Republican candidates care that a large number of liberal pundits and wonks who will never support a Republican candidate think they should appear in front of a group that will never ever vote for them.

I did not see any Democratic candidates appearing at this years NRA convention and the talking classes could not have cared less. Why? Because none of the Democratic candidates are going to appear in front of a group that will never vote for them. Why shouldn’t the same logic apply to Republicans.