O’Neill Challenges LaTourette to Energy Debate
‘Anytime, anywhere,’ candidate says
CLEVELAND (July 18, 2008) – Democratic Congressional candidate Bill O'Neill today called on Rep. Steve LaTourette to debate him on the issue of energy. Standing between the North Coast RTA station in downtown Cleveland and the wind turbine at the Great Lakes Science Center today, O’Neill said it’s time to “lead, follow or get out of the way.”
“The 14th district of Ohio has become the poster child for what is wrong with our energy policy in this country,” said O’Neill. “But, it also has the potential to be the drawing board for the future. We need leadership from Congress.”
O’Neill put forth a proposal three weeks ago that called on Congress to invest heavily in regional commuter rail for Northeast Ohio. LaTourette has said it can’t be done.
“Over the course of the campaign I have offered solutions to address the energy crisis that would create new jobs, reduce gas consumption, unclog our highways, and reduce our region’s carbon footprint,” O’Neill said “All Steve LaTourette did was offer a backwards gas rebate proposal that would just increase gas prices and provide a taxpayer-funded windfall for the oil companies.
“If Congressman LaTourette think it’s too hard to reduce our consumption of foreign oil, if you think it’s too hard to invest in renewable, job-creating sources of power, and if you think it’s too hard to fight for expanded regional mass transit to help Northeast Ohioans find a smarter, cheaper way to work, then I challenge you to a debate on energy,” he said.
In recent weeks local editorials have blasted LaTourette’s gas rebate bill while praising O’Neill’s call for commuter rail in Northeast Ohio. O’Neill and LaTourette also ran competing columns in the News-Herald.
“I want to give you, Congressman LaTourette, the chance to explain why this is the only wind turbine in town and why this rail line doesn’t go to Mentor and Ashtabula,” he said. “Anytime, anyplace.”
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For more information, contact Justin at justinAToneill08.com