Obama Skips Black Symposium To Campaign

The venerable journalist and commentator, Tavis Smiley (pictured above), organized a "State of the Black Union" symposium held in New Orleans yesterday. All of the presidential candidates were invited to attend. Clinton accepted, but Obama did not.

Obama offered to send his wife, but Smiley refused. Obama then declined, saying he was busy with scheduled campaign appearances in Texas and Ohio. This has upset Smiley and some others. They say Obama needs to address important black issues and should have come.

I respect and admire Mr. Smiley, but I have to disagree with him on this. The symposium was simply scheduled at a very bad time for him to think he could require Obama's attendance.

Barack Obama has a real shot at not only getting the Democratic nomination for president, but also being elected to be the next president of the United States. He is on the verge of making history and changing America for the betterment of everyone.

However, he is not there yet. He has made up a lot of ground in Texas and Ohio, and now has a chance to win these states. If he does, it would put him in a very good position to win the Democratic nomination. But it is very close in both states, and a maximum effort is still needed.

Mr. Smiley must decide what is more important. Is it more important for Obama to attend a symposium or be elected president? I would have to choose the latter. Being elected president would put him in a position to make real changes, rather than just talk about what changes are needed.