The Cleveland Plain Dealer and Cleveland.com announced their support for P.G. Sittenfeld over “Retread” Ted Strickland in the upcoming Democratic primary.
Among the reasons for choosing Sittenfeld were Strickland’s unwillingness to debate the issues and the lack of specifics in his campaign. (Echoing criticism that was lobbed by Ohio Democrats countless times throughout Strickland’s primary campaign.)
CLICK to read more from Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.
[NOTE: The Plain Dealer endorsed Strickland’s gubernatorial bid in 2006.]
The Akron Beacon Journal also endorsed Sittenfeld over Strickland in the Democratic primary.
[NOTE: The Akron Beacon Journal has previously endorsed Strickland bids in the 2010 and 2006 gubernatorial general elections, and also in his 2006 gubernatorial primary.]
More from the Akron Beacon Journal:
For the U.S. Senate: P.G. Sittenfeld in the Democratic primary
The Akron Beacon Journal | Editorial
Ted Strickland fails to see the opportunity in joining a series of debates as he campaigns for the U.S. Senate. The former Ohio governor and U.S. House member doesn’t want to give his opponent, P.G. Sittenfeld, a vehicle for drawing attention. Strickland has taken that safe stand even though he is running far ahead in the polls and his troubled Ohio Democratic Party could use an elevated profile.
…That said, Sittenfeld has proved the stronger candidate in this race, in the positions he has taken and the future he sees for the party in the state. We recommend the election of P.G. Sittenfeld on March 15.
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Sittenfeld has tried to make much of Strickland shifting his position on gun regulations. Once proud of his A rating from the National Rifle Association, Strickland now favors more comprehensive background checks and other restrictions. What distinguishes Sittenfeld is his greater awareness and grasp of how the gun question fits into the larger picture of race relations, policing and urban life.
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On many issues, Strickland and Sittenfeld agree. Yet, if anything, both would have benefited from debates, Strickland getting sharper for the general election run. Debates would have helped the Democratic Party in revealing that it has more vitality than many Ohioans realize. P.G. Sittenfeld is a significant part of that new energy, bolstered by substance and ambition, in the best sense. He has been the better candidate in this primary campaign.
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