The heads of the Ohio Democratic and Republican parties agreed Sunday that civility is lacking in today’s politics.
Speaking at a special Martin Luther King Jr. panel discussion at the Akron-Summit County Public Library, they said both parties have to try harder to eliminate the rancor and name-calling that have infested political debate.
“It does sometimes … seem as though civility in politics is gone,” said Matthew Borges, chairman of the state GOP. “That it’s dead. That it just doesn’t exist anymore. And that’s sad.”
David Pepper, who heads the state Democrats, said political leaders must do a better job of speaking out against incivility.
“It’s just terrible right now,” he said, referring specifically to comments made by Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump, Ted Cruz and Chris Christie.
Borges noted that he has advised Trump that his divisive comments won’t work in Ohio, and that the state party has tried to distance itself from candidates who are uncivil.
Civility was one of many topics touched on during the annual King program, which is sponsored by the library and Eta Tau Lambda Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
The panel discussion — titled “Ohio at the Center: Dr. King’s Viewpoints and Current Affairs” — also featured Bishop Joey Johnson of the House of the Lord in Akron and attorney Micah Mitchell Hines of Blackwell Burke. It was moderated by former Beacon Journal Editor Albert Fitzpatrick, who interjected his opinion while asking the questions.
More than 150 people attended the nearly two-hour event.
Many questions revolved around issues that King focused on: respect, civil rights and poverty. The audience also asked questions about guns and political action committees, and the panelists talked about police brutality, racism, housing, immigration and the military.
Both Johnson and Mitchell Hines, former general counsel and assistant chief of staff to Democratic Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, also decried the lack of civility in politics.
“The rudest person seems to get the most applause and the most impact. I think it’s horrible,” Johnson said to applause.
Asked what the most pressing political issue is in Ohio, Pepper and Borges provided different answers.
Pepper cited providing a solid education, saying that could help solve many other problems.
Borges highlighted jobs and attracting businesses so people are working.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter at @armonrickABJ.