With sharp retorts and well-crafted sound bites, Courtis Fuller and Charlie Luken finally took the gloves off Tuesday night, just three weeks before the historic election for Cincinnati's new, stronger mayor.

        In the first formal, one-on-one debate of the campaign, they argued about crime and economic development, the April riots and their own qualifications.

WHAT THEY SAID

Excerpts from Tuesday's debate between Courtis Fuller and Charlie Luken, candidates for mayor of Cincinnati. Courtis Fuller    “As registered voters here in Cincinnati, you have an opportunity Nov. 6 to make a critical change in this city. You can stay in a status quo mode, voting one way, or you can take a progressive step forward with another vote.”    “The challenge for all of us at this moment is that we must look beyond the same elite voices that recycle the old framework. We are desperately in need of a paradigm shift here in Cincinnati. We are desperately in need of new leadership.”    “We need leaders who develop plans and strategies that allow people to gain real power. We need people who don't belittle or judge others. Instead, they activate a can-do spirit in this city.”    “I've really shown boldness by simply getting into this race. I've shown my fearless resolve by standing up to the status quo. I've shown my commitment by making a personal sacrifice for the citizens of this city. Finally, I've shown my faith, by believing that with God, all things are possible, including victory in November.” Charlie Luken    “When Mr. Fuller decided to criticize me about calling a curfew (Sept. 26) to protect lives, to save property and to stand for behavior that we should all stand for, I thought, "You know, that's too much.' On that moment, the first time as a mayoral candidate, he was put to the test. This is an election about having the experience and understanding to do the job.”    “I'm not a naysayer, like Mr. Fuller. I'm optimistic about the future. I believe in the future, and I look optimistically to our future together.”    “My goal as the mayor of Cincinnati is not on some pie-in-the-sky proposal that will raise people's taxes, that has uncertain costs. My focus is on giving young people in primary and secondary education real hope, real opportunity, real job skills that will make a difference.”    “Let's stop the name calling. Let's stop the yelling. Let's stop interrupting one another when we're trying to speak. And if we do that, I think the opportunity for progress will be much greater.”

        Mr. Fuller set the tone in his opening statement, reciting a litany of city problems. He said homeownership rates are among the lowest in the nation, and poverty rates among the highest.

        “Cincinnati remains polarized by race and economics — the seventh most segregated city in America,” he said. “People venture downtown these days just to get a good look at Newport.”

        In short, he said, the city needs new leadership.

        “Courtis has become very good, in his short political career, at being a lister. He lists everything that's wrong,” Mr. Luken said. “I'm not a naysayer like Mr. Fuller. I'm optimistic about the future of this city.”

        Mr. Luken then went on the attack, questioning Mr. Fuller's judgment on the night of Sept. 26, after a judge had acquitted Officer Stephen Roach in the fatal shooting of Timothy Thomas in April. That night, Mr. Luken said, Over-the-Rhine was “out of control.”

        “Mr. Fuller was in the middle of that, marching with masked men with anti-police signs of a profane nature,” he said. “On that night, for the first time as a mayoral candidate, he was put to the test, and that's how he behaved.”

        Mr. Fuller said he was never in fear for his safety that night and stood by his remark that the mayor was premature in calling for a curfew.

        An audience of about 200 watched the hour-long debate at the Este Conference Center in Winton Place. It was broadcast live on WCIN-AM radio, an African-American-oriented radio station.

        Throughout the campaign the two former co-anchors had been courteous — and sometimes even complimentary — to each other. Their differences, they said, were more often of style than of substance.

        Then came Tuesday night, when each candidate drew sharp distinctions on issues:

        • Crime: Both candidates accused each other of flip-flopping on whether the city needs more police officers.

        “The mayor doesn't know what he wants to do,” said Mr. Fuller. “He asked for a pause in the vote, and then at the last minute flip-flopped on his own Democrats.”

        “I never, ever equivocated on the issue of more police,” Mr. Luken said, acknowledging he did initially ask for a delay to consider the funding.

        He then accused Mr. Fuller of telling Westwood Concerns, a neighborhood activist group, that he agreed on the need for more police — and then backtracking later.

        Mr. Fuller said his position has been consistent: He wants a comprehensive study of staffing needs before hiring more officers.

        • Race relations: Mr. Luken defended his record on race relations.

        “Before the unrest in April, this city was taking a hard look at the issue of racial profiling,” Mr. Luken said. “Despite what Mr. Fuller says, a lot of these discussions were going on before April.”

        Said Mr. Fuller: “While the mayor may have been having some discussions before April, there was no action. ... The only reason we have CAN (Community Action Now) is because the mayor can't and the mayor won't.”

        • Experience: Audience members were allowed written questions, and a Mount Washington man led off by asking Mr. Fuller if he had any managerial or government experience.

        “I don't have any government experience,” said the 44-year-old former news anchor. “The charter cries out for average citizens to get involved. Read the charter, and the primary qualification is to be a registered voter in the city.”

        He said his goal was to “come serve my city and go home.”

        “If you don't have any government experience, fine,” responded Mr. Luken, who has held political office off and on since 1981. “But if you want to be mayor of Cincinnati, get up and stand up to the give and take of a good, old-fashioned American political debate.”

        Mr. Fuller, who has decided to limit the number of debates, said of course the mayor wants to debate him.

        Mr. Luken, 50, finished second by 16 percentage points in the Sept. 11 nonpartisan primary.

        “If I lost by 16 points, I'd want to debate me, too,” Mr. Fuller said.
       

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