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If Paulsen has nothing to hide, why is he unwilling to debate?

To the Editor:

The Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF) is out of control. The Super PAC recently launched a scathing ad in their next round of attacks on behalf of Rep. Erik Paulsen against challenger Dean Phillips. The advertisement is directed towards his health care past at Penny’s Coffee. The ad was littered with false statements, insinuating that Phillips did not provide health care to his employees at Penny’s.

This is unequivocally not true.

Phillips has always provided health care to all of his full-time employees along with a $15/hour living wage. Phillips explained his small business policies at the Aug. 21 debate in St. Louis Park. This was the only debate between the two candidates that Paulsen has agreed to thus far, and it came with a price tag of $60 per person.

The CLF conveniently leaves those facts out of their TV spot.

Their 30-second ad against Phillips mirrored an insidious nationwide smear campaign by the powerful super PAC against Democratic House candidates that is grasping at straws, to say the least. They are desperate and will do anything to get their candidates elected.

The CLF’s recent actions represent modern political discourse. Polarized, hectic and nasty.

Minnesotans and all Americans should be able to access the truth directly from candidates rather than from PAC-funded negative ad campaigning.

Notably, Congressman Erik Paulsen refuses to commit to debates that are free and open to the public in District Three. Dean Phillips is ready, willing and able to debate Paulsen at any time.

Ask yourself: If Erik Paulsen has nothing to hide, then why is he unwilling to show up for a debate?

Jennifer Berman, Minnetonka
Minnetonka Sun-Sailor, September 18, 2018

Data and Research Manager: