CAPITAL COVERAGE NEWS SERVICE
media in the public interest
Qualls / Chabot Debate:
A First Look
by John Zeh
CINCINNATI- When Ohio First District Congressional candidate Roxanne Qualls (D) and incumbent Steve Chabot (R) faced off in the crucial campiagn's only broadcast debate Oct.22, the first question from the WVXU FM studio audience was about hate crimes protection, thanks to written questions from openly-gay reporters.
Cincinnati Mayor Qualls called on Chabot and other lawmakers to "enact strong anti-hate crimes legislation at the federal and local level" in the wake of the horrific execution of Wyoming student Matthew Sheppard.
Chabot acknowledged the "tragic, reprehensible" crime against the 21-year-old student, but refused to support adding gays to existing hate crimes laws, calling the amendment punishment for "thought crimes." Qualls dropped the ball when offered a rebuttal; she could have asked how Chabot concedes protection for crimes against blacks but apparently thinks killing gays are different.
Qualls was otherwise brilliant and well-prepared in the wide-ranging discussion which covered light-rail options to traffic grid-lock, human rights in China, HMO reform, the federal budget, drugs, and saving public schools.
Qualls offered that she supports passage of the Employment Discrimination and Employment Act (ENDA) to add gays to federal employment protections. Rep. Chabot has opposed passage of the bill, co-sponsored by Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA).
She closed by urging people to turn out to vote. "Put politics aside," she said. Put people fo the first district first. This race is very important to all our families."
