Frankfort Times – September 29, 2010
by Brian Peloza
David Sanders had one simple message on his most recent visit to Frankfort: Notice which candidate is in Clinton County and which one isn’t.
Sanders, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Congress in Indiana’s Fourth District, has made several campaign stops in Clinton County over the past months.
“I’m the only candidate who is out there consistently,” said Sanders, after recently visiting voters at the WILO Senior Expo. “This is a huge district and I’m trying to see all of the people.”
Sanders faces Republican Todd Rokita and Libertarian John Duncan for the seat vacated by Rep. Steve Buyer’s retirement.
Sanders said he has campaigned door-to-door a handful of times in Clinton County, while also attending several parades, festivals and fairs. He also notes that when he visits an event, he does so for a couple of hours.
He noted a conversation he had with supporters of the movement to restore the Frankfort Roundhouse, also noting a railroad diversion program could benefit the downtown district.
“My trips are paying off because I’ve been speaking with people that remember me from a previous event,” Sanders said.
One upcoming event Sanders anticipates is an election forum planned Oct. 18 in Frankfort, sponsored by the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce, The Times and radio station WILO.
Sanders and Duncan have confirmed attendance at the forum, but Rokita has yet to follow suit.
The trio will participate in a debate on Oct. 7 at Lafayette television station WLFI. It will not be open to the public.
Sanders, a Purdue professor, noted Rokita should be willing to participate in several debates across the district for two reasons.
First, the district stretches hundreds of miles, from White County down to Lawrence County, causing media coverage to be spread across several entities.
Secondly, Rokita serves as Indiana Secretary of State and is thus in charge of the election process in the state, which should motivate him to participate in numerous debates, Sanders said.
Also, Sanders noted a verbal agreement made with Rokita prior to the May primary, claiming they decided to organize debates as a joint venture.
Sanders notes two letters sent to Rokita after the primary, both of which have not received a response.
“Not only is he not following through with his agreement,” Sanders said, “but he’s not showing the courtesy of replying to a personal letter.”
