OH-13: Rep. Sutton Ducks Another Debate

Release:

Another opportunity for a debate, another dodge by 13th Congressional District Rep. Betty Sutton. That's the reaction from Dave Potter, the Republican challenging Sutton and her gossamer-thin record in November's election.

This time, it's National Public Radio's efforts to bring balanced campaign coverage that Sutton is ducking, Potter said. The two were scheduled to appear Tuesday morning (9/23) on 90.3 WCPN, but Sutton backed out.

"Sutton and her office have made a habit of doing this, so I am not surprised," Potter explained to WCPN producers. "It's a shame since Ms. Sutton boasts about her ethics and diligence in keeping the peoples' business transparent to them. Part of this should be to have a healthy debate on the issues.

"With the exception of the City Club of Cleveland, she refuses to defend her positions on issues in a neutral setting.

It's not surprising that she's hesitant to defend two years of minimal accomplishment, Potter continued. As president of the freshman Democratic representative class, she played a role in reducing the public's estimation of Congress to single-digit positives. She boasts of almost obtaining a $200,000 earmark for a Lorain County health project, a form of off-the-books funding that draws increasing scorn and opposition from responsible members of both parties.

But beyond those dubious achievements, what does she have to show for the more than $300,000 she has collected in salary? Potter - and the voters of the 13th district - would like an accounting. Maybe that's why she's suddenly so shy.