Candidates’ Forum: 16th Congressional District

Posted Wednesday, October 6, 2010

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As Democrats scramble to retain control of Congress, freshman Representative John Boccieri has his hands full with Republican challenger Jim Renacci in Ohio's 16th District, which includes Medina, Ashland, Wooster and Canton. The attack ads depict Boccieri as a Nancy Pelosi apologist and Renacci as a shady businessman. Wednesday, we'll go beyond the sound bites: who are these men and what ideas do they have to revive their district and the nation. *photos left to right, John Boccieri, James Renacci

Guests

James Renacci (R), Former Mayor of Wadsworth and Businessman (9 -9:30am)
John Boccieri (D)*, Representative for Ohio’s 16th Congressional District (9:30-10am)

Additional Information

Libertarian candidate Jeffrey Blevins was not included in this forum because he did not meet the minimum criteria WCPN established for participation. We followed the lead of the Presidential Debate Commission in determining who's eligible. Like the commission, we automatically invite the Republican and Democratic candidates because they have the backing of a major party. Independents, Third Party and Write-in candidates may be included if they hit a threshold of at least 15 percent in at least one scientific poll.

Upcoming Candidates' Forums:
13th Congressional District: Sutton(D)* v. Ganley(R), October 14, 2010
*incumbent

Please follow our community discussion rules when composing your comments.

Rick 9:19 AM 10/6/10

I can’t believe I just heard Mr. Renacci say that you don’t spend money to grow a business. Seems to me that business 101 calls that investment. Nobody grows a business only by cutting costs.

Anne Caruso 9:56 AM 10/6/10

I want to correct the misinformation of one of the caller who said public employee’s healthcare benefits should be cut. When working, those benefits are part of the compensation for work done. People who work in the public sector usually make less than their counterparts in the private sector. In retirement, the benefits are paid for by the retiree and by the retirement fund they paid into during their working years.

Mark 12:45 PM 10/6/10

When someone like Renacci claims, “Government doesn’t create jobs” I think the host should call them on that and either say they are wrong or ask them what they mean. Millions of people are employed by government are those not jobs? Government spends billions defense-related projects that lead all kinds of new products and innovations. And government funds billions in research at our universities that also create jobs in the public and private sector. Mike, it’s not just another opinion when a candidate makes a claim like that. I don’t suggest the host has to be biased. But a host shouldn’t just let a guest say anything they want without at least questioning whether what they say has any basis in truth.

Mike McIntyre 2:36 PM 10/7/10

Mark: I did my best to question both Mr. Renacci and Mr. Boccieri and to challenge them to put substance behind their assertions.

It might have been you (the caller’s name also was Mark) who handled that viewpoint well during the conversation, saying, “If he doesn’t think government spending creates jobs, what is he talking about? Tons and tons of jobs are created by government spending. It has spillovers in all kinds of places.”