21st CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Campaign chiefs debating debates

A suggestion that U.S. Rep. Phil English, R-21st District, is ducking debates with Democratic challenger Dr. Marc Flitter is "cheap political posturing," according to English’s campaign manager.

On Wednesday, English’s campaign manager Vicky Snyder responded to a challenge laid down last week by Kevin Colosimo, Flitter’s campaign manager. Friday he proposed nine debates between the candidates, beginning with an Oct. 3 meeting.

In a letter to Colosimo -- faxed to reporters Thursday by English’s campaign -- Ms. Snyder proposed eight or more debates in the 21 days leading up to the Nov. 7 election. Two or more would be held in Mercer County.

Both sides said Thursday they would meet soon to hammer out details. It could be an interesting meeting.

In the same letter in which she proposed a debate schedule, Ms. Snyder put a condition on English’s presence.

"We cannot commit to attend debates ... earlier than Oct. 16 -- given that Congress may be tied up with appropriations (hearings) until the week prior," Ms. Snyder wrote.

Colosimo’s response: "English won’t be in the district at all during the time that she (Ms. Snyder) said he can’t debate? What about weekends? Something could be scheduled."

In her letter, Ms. Snyder claimed the media got Flitter’s debate proposal before English’s campaign did.

"Last Friday, we belatedly received a letter from your campaign that had been circulated first to the news media," Ms. Snyder wrote. The Herald also received the proposal Friday and reported on it Saturday.

Ms. Snyder cited a story published Tuesday in the Butler Eagle that reported "Colosimo ... questioned English’s sincerity over wanting debates."

The comment inflamed Ms. Snyder. "Based on a letter we hadn’t received, (that) is cheap political posturing," she said.

In a story that ran Saturday in The Herald, Colosimo made no mention of English ducking the debates.

"No one is dodging anything," he said. In the Eagle article that Ms. Snyder cited, Robert Holste -- administrative assistant in English’s Washington office -- seemed to disagree with Ms. Snyder’s position that debates couldn’t begin until Oct. 16. "It’s always done like clockwork, and the first debate is usually held around late September or early October," Holste said.

"Sounds like the left hand doesn’t know what the right is doing," Colosimo said.

English is seeking a fourth term in Congress. Flitter is chief neurological surgeon at Hamot Medical Center.