Ohio Valley Politics

While browsing through my RSS feeds the other day I noticed an interesting headline: “Live from Zanesville, Ohio… the presidential debates!“. I clicked through to find an Op/Ed piece advocating Zanesville as a logical choice for the debates, not the shocking announcement I had hoped for. Sure it was a nice idea, but it just didn’t seem feasible.

Apparently others weren’t so quick to reject the idea. Representative Zack Space has written a letter to CNN and both of Ohio’s party chairmen asking them to consider the idea.

Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to have the debates in Zanesville. It’s only a 90 minute drive for me. But with a venue only capable of seating 1,776, I just can’t see it happening.

You can find the text of Space’s letter after the jump.

Dear Mr. Klein, Rep. Redfern, and Mr. Bennett:

A recent editorial published in the Zanesville Times Recorder written by Len LaCara, the Managing Editor of the paper, proposed an interesting idea.  With the recent announcement that CNN, the Ohio Democratic Party, and the Ohio Republican Party have agreed to host presidential debates in Ohio at the end of February, Zanesville, Ohio is a perfect place to host these debates.

Hosting the debates in Zanesville would be an opportunity for the candidates from both parties to plead their case to the average, hard-working Americans that are paying close attention right here in America’s heartland.  The 18^th Congressional District is a political bellwether for the rest of Ohio and the entire country. 

Zanesville has quite the story to tell.  Although the region continues to suffer through the pain caused by loss of a significant portion of the manufacturing base, Zanesville is working hard to turn itself into a model of economic revitalization.  American ingenuity, work ethic, and determination are on display right on Main Street.  Zanesville is working hard to capitalize on new economic opportunities. 

Moreover, Zanesville has facilities perfect for such events.  Secrest Auditorium has the capacity to hold 1,800 people.  Zanesville also has its own general aviation airport and is a short drive to the Columbus airport.

Finally, the residents of Zanesville would be gracious hosts to the candidates, their campaigns, and the press corps.  With our hotels, restaurants, and shopping, Zanesville will be a highlight for the candidates, one of which will be the next President of the United States.

I am encouraging you to follow Mr. LaCara’s advice and locate the upcoming debates in Zanesville Ohio.

Sincerely,

Congressman Zack Space