Catholics are cracking up all over!

Check out the dopey words from Senator Sam Brownback, who should know better.

Maryland Daily Record: Lesser-known GOP candidates address minority concerns

Republican presidential candidates discussed the importance of reaching out to people of color during a minority issues debate Thursday night and criticized the leading four GOP contenders for skipping it.

"I think this is a disgrace that they are not here," said Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback. "I think it's a disgrace to our country. I think it's bad for our party, and I don't think it's good for our future."

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said he was "embarrassed for our party, and I'm embarrassed for those who didn't come."

Talk about the absentees took up much of the first 20 minutes of the 90-minute forum. The four no-shows — former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Sen. Fred Thompson, Arizona Sen. John McCain and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney — cited scheduling conflicts in saying they could not attend the debate at historically black Morgan State University.

Four empty podiums underscored their absence.

"Fortunately, there are those in the Republican Party who do understand the importance of reaching out to people of color," said talk show host Tavis Smiley, the debate moderator, thanking the six other candidates for participating.

Besides Brownback and Huckabee, the other candidates who participated in the debate were: Reps. Duncan Hunter of California, Ron Paul of Texas and Tom Tancredo of Colorado, and conservative activist Alan L. Keyes. All appeared to relish the extra attention they received without the front-runners present.

The forum, which had black and Hispanic journalists questioning the candidates, was broadcast live on PBS.

The candidates answered questions ranging from what they would do to help minorities, their views on illegal immigration, the war in Iraq, minority unemployment rates and their position on capital punishment.

Huckabee said he would want his legacy in helping minorities to be more equal treatment for them in the criminal justice system. Brownback said he would continue to push for the National Museum of African-American History and Culture in Washington and a formal apology from the federal government for slavery. (Emphasis mine.) Keyes spoke of bringing more religious values into schools.

UP WITH KEYES!

Paul received loud applause when he told the audience that minorities are unfairly punished in the criminal justice system. He also called for ending the war on drugs. "It isn't working," Paul said.

Sorry, Ron. Legalizing narcotics disqualifies you from using the sobriquet "conservative". On the bright side, it does entitle you to write for National Review.

Tancredo said two things have mostly hurt blacks economically: the welfare state and "the importation of millions upon millions of low-income workers that depress the wage rates."

"Those two things are responsible, and it's got nothing to do with race," he said.

YES! UP TANCREDO!

On the question of illegal immigration, Paul also attacked "the welfare state," which he said gives illegal immigrants free medical care and education. Hunter said the country needed a fence on the border to keep illegals out, so people who wanted to become U.S. citizens would have to "knock on the front door."