By Jim

September 8, 2010 6:50 PM | Link to this

Absolutely,how better to judge the candidates than in a face-to-face exchange of views. But Boehner will dodge it - don’t ever recall him debating an opponent. He would actually have to answer real questions rather than read from a script.

By Justin

September 8, 2010 9:20 PM | Link to this

Does this finally mean that Mr. Cassoule will finally come out with his ideas and plans for once. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a Boehner fan. As of right now, I’m not going to vote in that race, or vote 3rd party if available. I’ve heard nothing from Boehner, but what I’ve heard from Cassaoule is talking points and attacks on Boehner. I’d be willing to vote for justin if I actually heard some ideas and plans from him. Why don’t you try that, instead of wasting ink and money on attacking your oppenent. I’m sick and tired of attacks, I WANT IDEAS

By oxford resident

September 9, 2010 10:51 AM | Link to this

Yes, voters need to hear both John Boehner and Justin Coussoule in a face to face debate. Coussoule is willing and able, but Boehner has said “no”, indicating Boehner is both unwilling and and unable to handle such a challenge. Boehner apparently believes he can become Speaker of the House by continuing to read the script given him by GOP strategists and by ignoring his own constituents.

By anti-oxford

September 9, 2010 11:14 AM | Link to this

@oxford resident…shouldn’t you be in class indoctrinating young minds to be federal government leaches. I can’t wait til Pelosi hands over the gavel and you cry. I hope you’re not tenured.

By MU Professor

September 9, 2010 11:48 AM | Link to this

Boehner debating Coussoule would be like reading “The Wall Street Journal” to a kindergarten class. Coussoule maybe a fine young man but he’s a small ball lost in high weeds.

By Suggestion

September 9, 2010 11:53 AM | Link to this

If Boehner won’t debate maybe Rick Jones is available, he seems to have a lot of time on his hands to run around talking nonsense.

By Sim

September 9, 2010 12:05 PM | Link to this

Every major newspaper in the country is carrying the story of the exchange between Congressman Boehner and President Obama on the state of the US economy. Coussoule demanding that Boehner debate him just shows the fellow isn’t ready for the US Congress.

By anti-oxford

September 9, 2010 1:59 PM | Link to this

Boehner’s opponent has lived in Ohio for 3 years! This fellow couldn’t find Kroger, let alone stand a chance at winning a congressional district that hasn’t had a Democrat in office since 1936. Look it up on wikipedia. This guy is a joke!

By Carpetbagger

September 9, 2010 3:40 PM | Link to this

I noted on this guys website he says he’s from Adams (guess he is implying that’s Adams County, Ohio). But no, he’s from Massachusetts, enough said.

By No Debate Needed

September 9, 2010 7:04 PM | Link to this

kuh-SOO-lee says tips from newspaper editors prompted him to challenge Boehner to a debate. Really? Did Cox Newspapers do this? If some editors are giving him “tips” (so much for impartiality and ethics), then he’s not very bright to say so in public. In regard to where Boehner stands, 20 years in office, recent years on the Sunday talk show circuit, national interviews, local columns and a great story in the Cincinnati Enquirer about it the other day (he met them) is confirmation enough. One would think that even a complete novice to political office like kuh-SOO-lee would have figured that out in the three years he’s lived in Ohio. Apparently not. Then again, this is yet another ploy for ku-SOO-lee to direct the focus on Boehner instead of on exactly where he stands, which is shoulder-to-shoulder and in lock step with whatever Pelosi and Obama demand - exactly what poll after poll shows a majority of voters nationwide don’t want, especially in this district.

By wendy

September 10, 2010 9:52 PM | Link to this

If Boehner was at the West Chester Marriott it might have been at the bar, it was not at an open to the public meeting. He doesn’t even go to his own “Open Door” meetings to talk to the people who live in his district, so yes, I want to hear from both of them. I want to hear HOW Boehner thinks he’s working with the President and I want to hear WHAT ideas the Republicans have that Coussoule would support. Boehner only talks in soundbites that his ‘people’ write and doesn’t answer real questions. GIVE US A DEBATE.

By wendy

September 10, 2010 9:57 PM | Link to this

And why should one candidate HAVE to ask for a debate? If Coussoule had to be prompted by editors of a newspaper to do it, that says that Boehner has not been responsive to the newspapers either. He really is a ghost at home, isn’t he? As for those of us who are new to the District, many moved from Hamilton County and other places and are not “from” here. Even Boehner isn’t from here and he doesn’t “live here” now. Get real.

By Angry Moderate

September 10, 2010 10:25 PM | Link to this

Its funny to hear people attack Coussoule for being “in step” with Pelosi and Obama, and at the same time, you claim not to know what he stands for, or you say that he attacks Boehner too much. Go to his website, read what he believes. If you disagree with him, then do that…but don’t attack his character or his person.

By No Debate Needed

September 11, 2010 8:54 AM | Link to this

Wendy can’t be serious as there’s a huge difference in moving from the East Coast (just three years ago) to Ohio than there is in moving from Hamilton County north to Butler. What she also apparently missed was Boehner’s recent visit to the Enquirer and their story about it just a few days ago. But more importantly, its words kuh-SOO-lee used about being “prompted” to seek a debate as that alleges a media role that’s far from impartial. It’s highly doubtful Boehner ignores Cox, but if that’s the way Cox handles it if he does, by getting cozy with his opponent, then that really bodes poorly for Cox and for those who wrongly trusted they were playing fair. And contrary to the Angry Moderate, I’ve read kuh-SOO-lee’s material, visited his site and even interacted with him online — frankly, none of those interaaction’s shared much beyond what most politicians say especially those who have to run from what their party stands for now. Though, his frequent usage of Investment (code for increased spending and taxes) throughout his website, his registration as a Democrat to which most vote with their parties views, endorsements from Progressive groups (written about here) and checks from unions frankly says more than enough. He doesn’t need a debate to share where he really stands on issues (ObamaCare, Immigration, et al) yet he’d have some here wrongly believe that he does.

By Liilian T

September 11, 2010 2:33 PM | Link to this

Our family will not be voting for Boehner. We were very disappointed when he voted yes for TARP. In addition, his office told me he was ‘sorry now he voted yes and if we voted to re-elect him nothing like TARP would ever happen again.’ If you know anything about how TARP works, you know there doesn’t need to be another one. I’m sorry that answer is just not good enough. In addition Boehner also voted in the past for NAFTA and other treaties which caused major job loss in Ohio. He then has the gall to ask where the jobs are. I would rather have seen him step up and admit he was and is part of the problem and would do better for all of us but sadly, he rather pretend this economic mess is all someone else’s fault. We know better than that. So there is just no way we will vote for Boehner again. He seems to us to be more interested in serving himself. He counts on your ignorance of his voting record and the use of fear mongering at the open door meetings to keep him in office.

By Betty

September 11, 2010 6:15 PM | Link to this

Would be interesting to hear those people that are with Boehner what has he done for the people of Ohio, for that matter what has he done for main street American.These Republicans helped Bush drive this nation into the ground, what are they doing to help get it up and going again? Boehner leads people to believe there is a tax hike on ever American,,,not so..it’s not even a tax hike, it’s just the end of Bush’s tax cuts for the wealthy they do not want stopped… It those tax cuts created jobs, then were are those jobs?

By Gary Pemberton

September 11, 2010 9:06 PM | Link to this

Wow, I see those 23% of Ohioans who support Boehner are well represented. Despite the half-truths and blatant lies (politifact.com) that Mr. Boehner pushes in place of real ideas and debunked “plans” (“Boehner’s Plan: Half Baked” by Robert Borosage, “NDN Analysis: The Fiscal Impact of the New Boehner Economic Plan - Update 1” by Jake Berliner)that have little content and no connection to reality, the national political climate of partisan finger pointing and useless conflict is not important to the realities that Ohioans and the people of the 8th district face. Our reality is jobs; our reality is innovation and internationally competitive education. All the posturing b.s. that Boehner and Obama and anyone else does in front of the cameras does not help Ohioans nor does it change the realities we face in the 8th district. Most of the posters here clearly represent those who enjoy the mindless sound bites, yet none of these people has actually offered up one thing that Boehner has done for his district. Unemployment in the 8th district is over 13%. The Governor closed Grand Lake while Boehner was away on a 30 state tour, begging Lobbyists for $50 million (politico.com). Boehner rejected bringing $2 million for highway improvements in 8th district yet he approved a $50 billion bail out of Mexico. Boehner approved NAFTA, currently he pushes CAFTA and a liability cap & bail out for BP. Boehner asks “where are the jobs?” yet he Opposed a bill creating 37 million jobs. He asks “where are the jobs?” yet he Opposed 2 bills that saved over a million jobs. Boehner’s bloodhound is “looking for the jobs” yet it is strangely quiet about the 200 jobs that a campaign contributor recently pulled out of Lewisburg. His 2 point economic plan was a 5 point plan in Cleveland (“NDN Analysis: The Fiscal Impact of the New Boehner Economic Plan - Update 1” by Jake Berliner); less “points” but no more substance. Boehner continues to push a plan to cut unemployment benefits; he continues plans to raise retirement to age 70; he continues plans to cut social security retirement & SSI payments 20%. Pay attention and it’s obvious that Coussoule’s campaign is about Leadership. This from a Veteran Army Officer. This from a graduate of West Point. Pay attention and you will see that Coussoule came to Ohio after his service to a job with P&G. Leadership is overwhelmingly rare in Congress, yet that’s what governing is about. Leadership is blatantly absent from Boehner’s 10 terms in Congress; Boehner follows the Party lie. Boehner follows the Lobbyist money. And this coming from a lifelong Republican and McCain supporter. McCain pushed Cap & Trade as his climate platform. Now Boehner leads the GOP in attacking Cap & Trade. When will Boehner get in line with the rest of America? Why does Boehner oppose energy independence? Why does Boehner oppose the Small Business Aid bill? Why does Boehner oppose the Schwartz economic & jobs recovery plan Coussoule has adopted? Why had Boehner attacked our NRA over its support for the Disclosure Act? Why has Boehner attacked teachers unions and the Postal Workers Union? Boehner receives more that $800,000 from individual Libbyists; he receives more that $700,000 from his campaign finance firm. The remainder of his $23-$27 million is funneled through the RNC. Boehner charges Lobbyists $100,000 per meeting; how can Ohioans come up with enough money to get Boehner to care about us? When has Boehner attended an “open door meeting”? When has Boehner showed any interest in Ohioans, outside of elections? Does Boehner spend all his time golfing? * “Boehner’s PAC Spending Money To Fund Luxury Trips” @ tpm.com. * “Golf outings by Boehner’s PAC get POLITICO attention” @ Dayton Daily News. * “Boehner’s PAC raises critics’ questions” @ BNET.com. * “Boehner PAC Spends on Golf” @ politicalwire.com.

By anti-oxford

September 13, 2010 10:37 AM | Link to this

@Gary Pemberton…clean up on isle 6, Mr. Pemberton just threw up all over the Al Gore’s “internet.” Feel better now, Gary? The Barney Frank loving Justin goes down with Strickland, Fisher and the rest of the Dzzzz shortly. Tick Tock

By c.c.l

September 16, 2010 10:59 AM | Link to this

What’s the matter anti-Oxford, frightened by facts? Maybe you’re the one who is puking all over your keyboard. Gary Pemberton just laid out an argument that should send Boehner back to West Chester…if he remembers where that is.

By Side Note

September 17, 2010 11:19 AM | Link to this

First, I commend “Gary Pemberton” for posting a well-thought out and well-referenced comment free of baseless or ignorant assumptions. And to all who critique Justin’s place in OH for only 3 years, I simply ask you which lifelong residents of the 8th district made a run for this position? I don’t care if he has been here 3 months, just as long as he is able and willing to serve our district. The 8th district needs a real voice, and so far, none of us that live here have been willing to put in the time and effort to do it ourselves. I commend Justin for being willing to take on this battle for us all.

By Joanie

September 20, 2010 11:09 AM | Link to this

Coussoule was born in in a small town in Mass., but he also graduated from West Point, then served over 5 yrs. as a Captain in the Army. He is a small business owner himself and a father of two children. He has proven leadership and service, understanding of middle class concerns, and an investment in Southwest Ohio. This is his home and he wants to make it a better place for his children and ours.