There has been a growing rumbling over Amy Acton’s refusal to debate Vivek Ramaswamy this fall. The latter has accepted invitations by major networks to debate Acton, but she has declined offers to meet him on a stage. Rather than spending time doing national interviews in which he claims this shows weakness on her part and portends badly for Ohio’s future, he should be out on the campaign trail interacting with actual voters.
It’s not uncommon for politicians to turn down invitations to debate. Governor DeWine declined to debate in 2022, and his nonparticipation has not translated into an inadequacy to govern effectively.
It’s likely that a matchup would be entertaining in the same way that gladiators fighting in the Colosseum captivated the Romans. Judging from the attack ads we’re seeing, the event would be reduced to a few shocking sound bites, and the residents of Ohio would be the real losers.
For the independent voter who is sincerely trying to decide between the candidates, reference primary sources – listen to and read their own words via the Internet, TV, social media, town halls, country fairs, and roundtable gatherings. That’s where the meat is, minus the bloodshed.
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