Cong. OH-2: Wulsin (D) Challenges Schmidt (R) to Debate

Energized by polling that shows her race against Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) tied at 44% each, and reporting 50% more-cash-on-hand than the incumbent, challenger Dr. Victoria Wulsin (D-Indian Hill) yesterday kept the pressure on by challenging Schmidt to seven public debates.

Why seven? "The people in each county of the 2nd Congressional District deserve a formal candidate debate between the two of us," explained Wulsin in her challenge, delivered to Schmidt by letter and fax, "I sincerely hope that you will agree to one debate in each county: Adams, Brown, Clermont, Hamilton, Pike, Scioto and Warren." She also wrote:

There is perhaps nothing more important to our democracy than transparent government, and a public forum would be an ideal setting to formally share our thoughts and opinions on public policy matters with the people of southern Ohio.

"I doubt that Schmidt will accept the challenge," said Mary Huttlinger, Wulsin’s campaign manger. "Schmidt has spent a full year running and hiding from her responsibilities to the people of the 2nd District. She’s going to continue hiding from them for as long as she can."

I also doubt that Schmidt will agree to debates, at least not any time soon. The conventional wisdom is that front-running incumbents always avoid debates, and Schmidt acts like she fits that description despite Wulsin's favorable polling and fundraising lead, and the fact that respected political analyst Charlie Cook called the race competitive. (Other pundits disagree.) On the other hand, having displayed such magnificent debating skill on the floor of Congress (where she famously taunted decorated Marine veteran Rep. Jack Murtha (D-PA) as a coward), she may decide it's to her advantage to accept.