having won primaries in the state during the 1980s . Sen. Hillary Clinton was the only major presidential candidate to accept invitation . President Barack Obama told organizers he needed to focus on his campaign . Talk show host Tavis Smiley : It 's a big opportunity on Obama 's part . Smiley tells Washington Post he 's gotten angry e - mails , threats for criticizing Obama .
Sen. Hillary Clinton was the only major presidential candidate to accept invitation . President Barack Obama told organizers he needed to focus on his campaign . Talk show host Tavis Smiley : It 's a big opportunity on Obama 's part . Smiley tells Washington Post he 's gotten angry e - mails , threats for criticizing Obama .