Kristina Roegner | Opinion contributor
In two months, Ohioans will make one of the most consequential choices of the next decade: who leads our state to improve the lives of hardworking families through an era of economic transformation, energy scarcity and threats to public safety. Before the voters decide, they deserve to see both candidates for governor stand on the same stage, defend their respective records and answer hard questions.
Earlier this month, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy accepted two debate invitations − one from CNN and one from Cincinnati’s WLWT, a local NBC News affiliate. I’m sure friends cautioned Ramaswamy against these networks, given their less charitable coverage of Republicans as compared to Democrats, but he isn’t afraid to debate. He believes open dialogue and debate are an essential part of the democratic process.
Unfortunately, his opponent, Democrat Amy Acton, declined both debate challenges and went further to reject the idea of doing any debates at all. This is an insult to voters across Ohio and is just the latest demonstration that Acton lacks the mettle required to lead.
Her stated reason is that Republican criticisms of her record have been lies. If you take that claim seriously even for a moment, it collapses under its own weight.
If someone spread falsehoods about her record before millions of voters, shouldn’t she want to expose those lies in a transparent manner in front of a statewide audience? If criticisms of her record have been false, why isn’t she demanding a debate to correct them?
It’s simple: She’s hiding.
Acton claims she wants voters to look past attack ads and pay attention to what’s real. But there is exactly one forum voters actually watch in long-form, other than advertisements: a debate. If you genuinely believe Ohioans deserve something deeper than a soundbite, you offer them at least one debate that goes deeper. No editing, no consultants, no teleprompters. Refusing to debate while lamenting the ads isn’t a principle; it’s an alibi.
Read more here.