By Zettler Clay IV
The UNITY News

First, they were both coming: Barack Obama, D-Ill., and John McCain, R-Ariz., both presumptive presidential candidates together on stage.

Then, Obama went to Europe and the Middle East and McCain opted for Ohio.

Now, only one is coming: Obama will appear before UNITY convention-goers Sunday, the last day of the gathering for minority journalists.

UNITY organizers had heavily promoted a forum between the two candidates, but neither candidate confirmed the appearance, originally scheduled for Thursday night.

The convention comes while Obama is on an international tour. McCain is scheduled to speak at a fundraiser Thursday at Ohio State University. Unity organizers say they still have hopes that McCain will change his schedule to appear.

Obama’s speech is now scheduled for 11 a.m. Sunday and will be televised live by CNN, organizers say.

In anticipation of both candidates’ arrival, The UNITY News sent an informal survey to members of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and National Association of Black Journalists, and interviewed journalists planning to attend this week’s convention. The Asian American Journalist Association and the Native American Journalist Association did not participate.

The journalists were surveyed about the most important issues they wanted each candidate to address, and the strengths and weaknesses of the presumptive nominees. Each member surveyed was also asked to identify their gender and race.

The 38 NAHJ members who responded to the survey chose immigration reform as the most important issue facing the next president, while the 15 NABJ members who responded favored stabilizing the economy. But many respondents expressed doubt about Obama’s security and immigration policies.

“Journalists love change,” said Tim Chavez, columnist for The Tennessean. “That’s why we got into the business. And there are so many things wrong locally and around the world. That’s not to say journalists are right in favoring Obama. Many people I talk to, including mothers, are worried about security. McCain holds the advantage on security.”

Coley Harvey, a reporter for the Macon (Ga.) Telegraph, planned on attending the forum. However, like many convention attendees, his flight home is Sunday morning. He will miss Obama’s appearance.

“It’s kind of discouraging because you hoped that a candidate who is in his home town would give a definite ‘Yes, I will be there’ answer,” Harvey said. “But it’s understandable because he is out strengthening his knowledge on foreign policies, which is what many feel to be his weakness.”

Last year, McCain and other Republican presidential candidates declined to speak at NABJ’s convention in Las Vegas. Missing this year’s convention could be costly, said Harvey.

“I think (not showing up) will be a political misstep on his part,” he said. “He has been targeting them aggressively, but if he doesn’t show up now, then that will send a totally different message.”

topic: UNITY Convention
tags: McCain, Obama

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