Obama, Romney reject Black issues debate, President, challenger pass on Oct. 9 forum

9.10.12

Obama, Romney reject Black issues debate, President, challenger pass on Oct. 9 forum: by Freddie Allen
For New Pittsburgh Courier
WASHINGTON (NNPA) – President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney have rejected an invitation from the NAACP and other Black groups, to participate in a forum to discuss issues important to African-Americans.
In late September, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People invited Obama and Romney to articulate their plans for the black community at a presidential forum planned for Oct. 9 at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, the nation’s oldest Black degree-granting institution.

The NAACP collaborated with the National Newspaper Publishers Association, MSNBC-TV, the Grio, and American Urban Radio Network in preparation for the forum. Veteran award-winning journalist Lester Holt had agreed to moderate.
Jerry Lopes, president of Pittsburgh-based American Urban Radio Network, said on Monday that both candidates declined to appear, citing scheduling conflicts.