“Brown Carried This One” On Policy, While “Mandel Was The Clear Winner” On Slogans
COLUMBUS, OHIO – Josh Mandel accomplished nothing in yesterday’s debate with Sen. Sherrod Brown aside from reinforcing his image as a politician who can’t be trusted. Ohio’s absentee Treasurer doubled down on his opposition to the auto rescue after previously calling Sherrod “un-American” for voting for it, and unbelievably promised that he would bring the numerous unqualified political cronies and friends stocking the Treasurer’s office with him to Washington if elected, as reported by Talking Points Memo:
“I will take the team of qualified professionals that we have in our office, I will stack them up against anyone in your office, and I’ll take them to go change Washington as, well.”
As expected, Sherrod was far better on specifics and actually answering the questions posed to him – while Mandel debated the same way he’s campaigned – using cheap slogans that lacked substance.
Associated Press – Mandel says he wouldn’t have backed auto bailout
“Republican Josh Mandel finally made it clear Monday that he wouldn’t have supported the auto industry bailout, an issue backed and touted at nearly every turn by his Democratic opponent in the race for Ohio’s U.S. Senate seat…
“[Mandel] has faced criticism throughout the campaign for hiring friends and political operatives into his state office and missing official state duties.
“‘The folks we’ve hired are qualified professionals,’ Mandel said, drawing more laughter from the audience.”
Huffington Post – Josh Mandel Says He Would Have Opposed Auto Bailout During Ohio Senate Debate
“‘Those are real jobs and real people,’ Brown said. ‘If you would be so out-of-step with George Voinovich and Steve LaTourette to be against the auto rescue, it boggles my mind.’”
Toledo Blade – Mandel, Brown meet in Cleveland debate
“Mr. Mandel gave his most blunt answer yet on the $80-billion taxpayer-funded rescue that many believe saved the U.S. auto industry after the 2008 credit crisis.
“‘I would not have voted for that. I couldn’t have,’ Mr. Mandel said…”
CNN – Senate candidates from Ohio debate auto bailout
“Josh, do you know about the Chevy Cruze and the Chevy Eco? The steel and the aluminum are made right here in Cleveland. The transmission comes out of Toledo. In Defiance they build the engines. These are real jobs and real people…”
Cincinnati Enquirer – Brown, Mandel attack during first debate
“Brown touted his support of the auto industry bailout and criticized Mandel for calling that support un-American. That was a reference to news reports in late August when Mandel called Brown’s vote for the auto bailout ‘un-American’ and six days later said Brown ‘should be ashamed of himself’ for voting for the rescue plan.”
“Hoping to distract Ohioans from his record of blowing off billion-dollar investment meetings, hiring unqualified political cronies and friends and opposing the auto rescue Sen. Sherrod Brown fought tirelessly to pass, Josh Mandel did nothing yesterday but reinforce his image as a politician who can’t be trusted,” said Ohio Democratic Party spokesman Andrew Zucker. “Mandel left no doubt that he would have let the auto industry die with callous disregard for the 850,000 Ohioans whose jobs were protected by the auto rescue, and in the debate’s second watershed moment, shockingly promised to take the unqualified political cronies and friends stocking his Treasurer’s office with him to Washington.”