SNUBBING THE "VALUES VOTERS." Yesterday's "Values Voter" Presidential Debate forged ahead even after all of the top-tier Republican candidates declined the invitation. The sponsoring social conservative groups set up podiums for Giuliani, Romney, McCain and Thompson anyway, and then addressed questions to the spaces where the candidates would have stood. (Is that kind of like leaving an empty seat for Jesus at the dinner table?) I'm not really surprised Giuliani and Romney didn't want to face this crowd, but it's interesting that Thompson didn't attend -- even though he was passing through Florida, where the event was held. Wasn't he supposed to be the candidate who was going to rally the support of all segments of the Republican base -- including the Christian right? In any case, the ultraconservatives are pissed off:
"They will regret the decision," said Jan Folger, president of Faith2Action and a member of the debate host committee. "Because they snubbed us, they will not win, because we will not follow their lead."
--Ann Friedman
