Congressman Dennis Kucinich's ability -- or Iinability -- to bring home the federal bacon to Northeast Ohio was the main theme in Tuesday's sold-out debate sponsored by the Cleveland City Club.
Cleveland City Councilman Joe Cimperman took the first shot, saying Kucinich has been absent from the district running for president and giving speeches in foreign countries while the city has lost 38,000 jobs and 730 manufacturing plants.
Cimperman: "Friends. let's not be fooled again. Mr. Kucinich is not a congressman, he's a showman..."
Barbara Anne Ferris is the only candidate who has opposed Kucinich previously. She said his decade-plus -job performance was well below that of his colleagues, and she chided him for mentioning a 2001 fight to keep LTV steel as a victory.
Ferris: "This is the empty lot of the steel mill that Mr. Kucinich saved. Her's his legislative record. He's only passed two pieces of legislation in 12 years. The average is 10 for members serving that long. We haven't had a crain in our sky since he went to congress. We've lost a third of our federal funding and thousands of jobs. Translation: last year first - year congressman Tim Ryan brought home 26 million to his district in Youngstown. First-term congressman Betty Sutton brought home 11 million. Our six term congressman brought home 2 million."
Kucinich struck the same notes about the region's economic problems, but he claimed success on His part, not Failure.
Kucinich: "I can't be fooled and I can't be bossed..."
Despite Kucinich's claim that using his congressional might will hold industry in Northeast Ohio, at least one audience member was skeptical.
Questioner: "How can we expect businesses to relocate to the 10th district when your positions are seemily somewhat antagonistic to the business community?"
Kucinich dismissed the characterization of his record. He said he could work with big business,but that he's no patsy.
At the end of the debate, Kucinich was asked, to reflect on his faults and what he might learn from his critics. He gave a heartfelt response.
Kucinich: "These moments of self-reflection come every day in a marriage... I've never claimed to be perfect..."
The primary is March 4.
Kymberli Hagelberg, 90.3