Obama takes heat for skipping State of the Black Union [View All]

[JKaiser]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/23/obama.sobu/index.html



From Sean Callebs
CNN

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (CNN) -- The annual State of the Black Union forum boasts a number of famous names as it gets under way in New Orleans, but this year's event is getting much more attention for who won't be there.


Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama campaigns in New Orleans on February 7.

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York, was the only major presidential candidate to accept an invitation to attend.

Her rival, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, declined, as did Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

But it's Obama's absence that's prompted both controversy and a backlash against Tavis Smiley, the organizer of the event who has openly criticized Obama's decision.....