Phil English's opponent plans to be at debate

SHARON, Pa. -- Steven Porter, Democratic candidate for the 3rd Congressional District, said he'll show up for his Monday debate with U.S. Rep. Phil English, even if English won't be there.
The two were scheduled to meet in a debate at 7 p.m. in Henderson Auditorium at Allegheny College in Meadville.
However, English put all debates with Porter on hold last week after public reports on a 1991 book written by Porter, an educator, which, among other things, discusses the merits of government sterilization of certain segments of society.
Porter said he wrote the book as a philosophical treatise intended to spark debate at the collegiate level and the contents don't reflect his personal beliefs.
English, a Republican from Erie, didn't accept that explanation and at first said he won't appear on the same stage with Porter until Porter renounces his views.
However, the congressman has since reconsidered his position and will now try to schedule a debate with Porter during the last week of the campaign, said Brad Moore, English's campaign manager.
Monday's date wouldn't have worked anyway, Moore said, noting that English has been called to Washington to make a Congressional vote that day and the debate would have been canceled.
Porter said he will still appear at Allegheny Monday and will speak on the issues of health care, Social Security, jobs and the war in Iraq.