Posted on 09/30/2007 4:06:10 PM PDT by jeffq73
Most of the attention devoted to Thursday night's GOP presidential debate at Morgan State centered on the four frontrunners (Giuliani, McCain, Romney and Thompson) skipping it and the reactions to the no-shows by everyone under the sun including members of the media, bloggers, former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, and debate host Tavis Smiley.
However, columnist Laura Vozzella of the Baltimore Sun reports that another controversy arose the night of the debate. After mentioning there was no flag on stage, Vozella describes the set, "The backdrop to the 'All-American Presidential Forum,' brought to you by Tavis Smiley and PBS, was a map of the United States, superimposed with a checkerboard of multicultural faces."
Apparently, candidate and Rep. Duncan Hunter of California asked that a flag be put on the stage but one never was.
According to Vozella, " The buzz among some Republicans was that organizers thought the flag might "offend" some members of the audience."
MD GOP first vice chairman Mike Cavey, who was there as an escort for Tom Tancredo, heard the whole exchange requesting the flag through his earpiece. Cavey also seemingly scoffs at the notion that anything other than "aesthetics" drove the decision. He apparently pointed out to Vozella that the colors of the flag would have clashed with the colors of the set design. Cavey also answers the question about the availability of a flag by saying that a police station was nearby and that there were probably flags in various place on campus at Morgan State.
Cross-posted at Conservative Thinking.
Other postings:
California Yankee
“....the flag might “offend” some members of the audience.”
???
Perhaps a Hammer and Sickle would have made those members feel better.
“Brought to you by PBS” ... what could possibly go wrong ... /rhetorical
Okay. This is new...
Queer eye for the GOP guys.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.