Ohio Voters Demand Political Debate
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Are You Ready For Change in Congress?
Im Ready to Bring About Change
My name is Kara Anastasio, and I am on the ballot this year for U.S. Congress, opposing 67-year-old Ohio Congressman David Hobson, who was appointed to the 7th District seat nearly 14 years ago.
I began running for office because I - and many individuals I know - have been feeling misled lately. Having the feeling that those in charge, those who work for you, those who make the laws and spend your tax money have forgotten whom they work for. No, I am not delving into presidential politics, I am referring to something closer to home - here in Ohio.
I am writing to respond to apublished article on May 29, 2004, in the Greene County Dailies titled Hobson refuses to debate - for now.
Why Will Dave Hobson Not Debate? Voters Deserve to Hear Debate Its Part of the Democratic Process.
Has anyone ever seen Dave Hobson in a debate with a candidate running against him? I have been campaigning for this seat for most of the past 2 and a half years. I have had appointments at his office twice during this time and have been a constituent for much longer than that, and I have never met the man.
When asked to debate by the vice president of the Xenia City Council, Lawrence Gordon, Congressman Hobson said, I dont need to debate, everybody knows what I stand for. Well I dont and I know many others who dont either.
Some of his supporters have said to me, He (Hobson) doesnt need to debate. To which I ask, He doesnt need to debate to get elected? Or he doesnt need to do his job? After nearly 14 years he cant find one hour to stand before the people and explain why he votes the way he does. I would be PROUD to explain the process to the people I work for.
We obviously have very different ideas of what public service means. I believe it comes as a great disappointment to all of the residents across the 7th Congressional district, especially those organizers who went to great lengths organizing Candidate Night forums in the 2002 election cycle so people could further understand the issues our congressional representative will represent for us in the U.S. House.
There were 21 forums organized then and Congressman Hobson was invited to all of them. My campaign was present at every one. I was personally present at 20 of the events. Congressman Hobson never came to ANY of them. And even with all of the money he had in his war chest and all the money the taxpayers pay for his staff - he only sent a representative six times.
Channel 7 News offered a televised debate and when Hobson declined, they canceled - so much for answering the peoples questions.
Several of the representatives that Hobson sent to the forums were fond of saying that every month Rep. Hobson was available to the people at district meetings. I once asked Hobson staff assistant Eileen Austria when Hobson would be present at one and she replied, We are always telling the press not to print that he will be at these meetings, because it is our policy that he is not. I am hoping she misspoke, and it is not an actual policy. However, just this weekend I heard another interesting quote attributed to Hobson: I am a very important man here in Washington, D.C., and I do not have time for such trivial matters! Was he referring to a debate with me? Not on this occasion. Here he was referring to a request by a Perry County group of eighth-graders for a tour of the Capitol in Washington. Hmmm, what do you think of that? Rep. Ted Strickland didnt think it was too trivial and he handled the tour.
The biggest issue in my campaign is accountability. (It is at the heart of all other issues) I have no idea what could be going through Congressman Dave Hobsons mind, but it does not seem to be decisions in the best interests of the people. I am proud to be the nominee for the Democratic Party, but to me good policy for the people does not have a party label - it either works for people or it doesnt.
What gets in the way of putting THE PEOPLE FIRST? Like any member of Greene Countys finest would say, Follow the MONEY. I do not accept PAC (Political Action Committee) donations to my campaign, because I believe these large sums of money from large corporations and special-interests groups are a conflict of interest. I believe it has a corrupting influence on our representatives and undermines the relationship the people have with their government.
Mahatma Gandhi once said, Be the change you want to see in the world. I am a mother, a worker, a homeowner and a patriot. In my opinion, we in the 7th district have been suffering under bad leadership-for NOW.
Im Ready to Bring About Change,
Kara Anastasio
Democratic Nominee for Congress 2004
Ohios 7th Congressional District
We THE PEOPLE of the 7th Congressional District of Ohio demand that Republican Congressman David Hobson DEBATE the issues of the 2004 Congressional Campaign with his Democratic challenger Kara Anastasio. Political debate is as American as apple pie and essential to the Democratic process. By refusing to debate, Congressman Hobson gives the impression he has something to hide or is it arrogance? Well Congressman Hobson as an Ohio Air National Guard Veteran, you of all people should know that Americans DESERVE debate between the candidates "before" Citizens vote. That's the American Way!
Im Ready to Bring About Change
My name is Kara Anastasio, and I am on the ballot this year for U.S. Congress, opposing 67-year-old Ohio Congressman David Hobson, who was appointed to the 7th District seat nearly 14 years ago.
I began running for office because I - and many individuals I know - have been feeling misled lately. Having the feeling that those in charge, those who work for you, those who make the laws and spend your tax money have forgotten whom they work for. No, I am not delving into presidential politics, I am referring to something closer to home - here in Ohio.
I am writing to respond to apublished article on May 29, 2004, in the Greene County Dailies titled Hobson refuses to debate - for now.
Why Will Dave Hobson Not Debate? Voters Deserve to Hear Debate Its Part of the Democratic Process.
Has anyone ever seen Dave Hobson in a debate with a candidate running against him? I have been campaigning for this seat for most of the past 2 and a half years. I have had appointments at his office twice during this time and have been a constituent for much longer than that, and I have never met the man.
When asked to debate by the vice president of the Xenia City Council, Lawrence Gordon, Congressman Hobson said, I dont need to debate, everybody knows what I stand for. Well I dont and I know many others who dont either.
Some of his supporters have said to me, He (Hobson) doesnt need to debate. To which I ask, He doesnt need to debate to get elected? Or he doesnt need to do his job? After nearly 14 years he cant find one hour to stand before the people and explain why he votes the way he does. I would be PROUD to explain the process to the people I work for.
We obviously have very different ideas of what public service means. I believe it comes as a great disappointment to all of the residents across the 7th Congressional district, especially those organizers who went to great lengths organizing Candidate Night forums in the 2002 election cycle so people could further understand the issues our congressional representative will represent for us in the U.S. House.
There were 21 forums organized then and Congressman Hobson was invited to all of them. My campaign was present at every one. I was personally present at 20 of the events. Congressman Hobson never came to ANY of them. And even with all of the money he had in his war chest and all the money the taxpayers pay for his staff - he only sent a representative six times.
Channel 7 News offered a televised debate and when Hobson declined, they canceled - so much for answering the peoples questions.
Several of the representatives that Hobson sent to the forums were fond of saying that every month Rep. Hobson was available to the people at district meetings. I once asked Hobson staff assistant Eileen Austria when Hobson would be present at one and she replied, We are always telling the press not to print that he will be at these meetings, because it is our policy that he is not. I am hoping she misspoke, and it is not an actual policy. However, just this weekend I heard another interesting quote attributed to Hobson: I am a very important man here in Washington, D.C., and I do not have time for such trivial matters! Was he referring to a debate with me? Not on this occasion. Here he was referring to a request by a Perry County group of eighth-graders for a tour of the Capitol in Washington. Hmmm, what do you think of that? Rep. Ted Strickland didnt think it was too trivial and he handled the tour.
The biggest issue in my campaign is accountability. (It is at the heart of all other issues) I have no idea what could be going through Congressman Dave Hobsons mind, but it does not seem to be decisions in the best interests of the people. I am proud to be the nominee for the Democratic Party, but to me good policy for the people does not have a party label - it either works for people or it doesnt.
What gets in the way of putting THE PEOPLE FIRST? Like any member of Greene Countys finest would say, Follow the MONEY. I do not accept PAC (Political Action Committee) donations to my campaign, because I believe these large sums of money from large corporations and special-interests groups are a conflict of interest. I believe it has a corrupting influence on our representatives and undermines the relationship the people have with their government.
Mahatma Gandhi once said, Be the change you want to see in the world. I am a mother, a worker, a homeowner and a patriot. In my opinion, we in the 7th district have been suffering under bad leadership-for NOW.
Im Ready to Bring About Change,
Kara Anastasio
Democratic Nominee for Congress 2004
Ohios 7th Congressional District
We THE PEOPLE of the 7th Congressional District of Ohio demand that Republican Congressman David Hobson DEBATE the issues of the 2004 Congressional Campaign with his Democratic challenger Kara Anastasio. Political debate is as American as apple pie and essential to the Democratic process. By refusing to debate, Congressman Hobson gives the impression he has something to hide or is it arrogance? Well Congressman Hobson as an Ohio Air National Guard Veteran, you of all people should know that Americans DESERVE debate between the candidates "before" Citizens vote. That's the American Way!
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