OH-02: Democrats Spar Over Debate Challenge by Black (D)

Democratic candidates face at least nominal primaries in nine of Ohio's 18 districts, but only OH-10 (Rep. Kucinich) and OH-18 (Rep. Space) involve Democratic incumbents. Of the remaining seven, five involve GOP incumbents (Rep. Turner in OH-03, Rep. Boehner in OH-08, Rep. Tiberi in OH-12, and Rep. LaTourette in OH-14) and two are open seats (OH-7 and OH-16).

The Democratic primaries that seem most likely to generate fireworks are in OH-02, OH-07, and OH-10, where there are adversaries who appear fairly evenly matched and at least potentially well-funded. (This may happen in OH-12 and OH-16 as well, but it is too early to tell.) There was an early spat in OH-07 when returning candidate William Conner (R-Beavercreek) made a snarky, disparaging comment about the profession of Circleville pizzeria owner Dave Woolever (D-Stoutsville). Also, OH-10 has seen a number of creative attacks and a debate challenge by Rosemary Palmer (D-Cleveland), but those have been ignored by the incumbent (who will declare his re-election campaign today). However, it looks like the OH-02 contest between Vic Wulsin (D-Indian Hill) and Steve Black (D-Indian Hill) is destined for the first open and sustained hostility.

On Monday, Black challenged Wulsin to a minimum of seven debates. As Howard Wilkinson points out on Politics Extra, this challenge echoes one that Wulsin issued to Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) during the 2006 general election campaign (which Schmidt ignored). As a returning and nearly victorious candidate, Wulsin has something of the aura of an incumbent (although not as much of an aura as repeat candidate Mary Jo Kilroy in OH-15, whose district lacks a real incumbent this time around), and Wulsin is understandably loathe to help Black catch up in the area of exposure and name recognition. Wulsin responded by pointing out that the two Democrats have appeared together at numerous candidate forums and will continue to do so. Instead of leaving it at that, however, Wulsin also slammed Black for engaging in misleading campaigning and trying to distract the public from the issues, and for good measure demanded to know why Black has not joined Wulsin in pledging not to accept Congressional health insurance until Congress tackles the problem of 40 million uninsured Americans nationally.

Today Black fired back, escalating the rhetoric:

"Of course I'll refuse Congressional health care," said Black.

"These pledges do nothing to fix our broken health care system or help the hardworking people of this district who can't afford health care. If we're going to solve the problems facing Ohio families, we need an honest leader who will stand up for what is right and get results, not an individual who thinks feel-good pledges will solve the health care crisis or fix our broken system."

"Vic Wulsin just doesn't get it - this election is not about me, or about her, or about symbolic pledges," continued Black. "It's about the hardworking people from our part of Ohio and their health care, their jobs, their future."

"I take the term 'Representative' literally - votes must be earned," Black said. "Vic won't give voters more than a thirty second sound bite in a TV ad. I want to give people the chance to hear candidates talk about the issues that matter."

"She evidently doesn't have any more to say about the issues or she would debate me. Voters deserve better."

As an observer and a Democrat I'd rather see debates than bickering and sparring between Democratic candidates. Holding seven of them does seem over-the-top (I realize there are seven counties, but so what - does the 18th District require 16 debates?). Hopefully, the two will agree to a smaller number of debates (I'd say two ought to be sufficient) and use them to shift the focus to substantive issues.