While Democratic hopefuls for the 2008 presidential campaign will participate in a candidate forum hosted by the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) in Orlando, Florida tomorrow, the GOP candidates – with the exception of one — decided to skip the event all together. ABC News reports:

Friday’s Republican forum? Canceled. Only Rep. Duncan Hunter of California agreed to show. The other candidates cited scheduling conflicts, including a Saturday debate in Iowa, which Hunter also planned to attend.

“The Republican candidates have blown off Hispanics in Florida,” said state Rep. Juan Zapata, a Republican who helped bring the NALEO event to the state.

They didn’t just blow off Latinos in Florida. This shows a disregard for Latino voters in general. And what’s interesting is that if there were ever a place where Republicans might find an easy Latino audience, Florida would be it. Perhaps for that reason they think their time is better spent courting Latinos in non-stronghold states?

It will be interesting to hear what happens at NALEO tomorrow with the Democrats, and we’ll keep you posted.

Via / ABC News