NEW ALBANY, IN -- After challenging Rep. Baron Hill to a debate on gas prices two weeks ago, Dr. Eric Schansberg's campaign has yet to hear back from Hill's campaign.
Hill has responded through the media (in a News-Tribune story), but has not yet extended the dignity of returning a phone call.
Dr. Schansberg is following the tradition established by Rep. Hill in May 2006 when Hill challenged former Rep. Mike Sodrel to a debate on gas prices. Gas prices have risen 68% since Hill returned to Washington DC.
Quoting Hill's press release from May 2006:
"One week after challenging Congressman Mike Sodrel to an immediate debate over gas prices, Baron Hill has yet to hear back from Sodrel. On Primary Night, Hill demanded a debate in Southern Indiana on or before Friday, May 12, claiming Hoosiers deserve to hear the two candidates talk about the current gas crisis…"
Schansberg said: "The hypocrisy of repeatedly demanding a debate in 2006 and refusing to debate in 2008 is embarrassing."
Schansberg added: "But I understand why Rep. Hill would run away from a debate with me about gas prices. His party supports a range of policies that reduce supply and thus, increase prices. He supports massive government spending and debt, which weakens the dollar and drives up the price of imports including oil. Besides, why would a politician want to debate an economist about economics?"
For more information or an interview, contact Eric Schansberg at (812) 218-0443, Mealanie Hughes at (502) 432-1930, or send an email to SchansbergForCongress@gmail.com.
Proposed debate
I, too, would like very much to see a debate between Schansberg, Hill and Sodrel. While I don't agree with everything Dr. Schansberg says (nor do I with any candidate), I respect him and think he'll make a much better Congressman than either Hill or Sodrel. The exposure provided by a debate would help him greatly.
The most interesting thing, though, was in the response from Hill's office quoted in the News-Tribune story: "...Baron is focused on legislative prioroties, such as lowering the people of Southern Indiana's property taxes..."
To the best of my knowledge, property taxes are strictly a state matter. Congressman Hill has no authority in the matter. For his office to suggest otherwise indicates either that they are remarkably ill-informed about his duties, or that they are disingenuously attempting to capitalize on a topic about which the public is rightly concerned.
Either way, it's appalling.
Greg Rothenberger
www.grothenberger.com