Pelosi, McCollum, Oberstar and Ellison did not “tour the area” but stayed locked inside the depot protected by police, highway patrol and security guards well away from those of us activists who arrived to voice our opposition to their socialistic national policies.

I tried to attend and was told, “Invitation only” and was turned away at the door. It was clearly an election year photo op and press opportunity for Pelosi’s favorite Minnesota liberals. It was absolutely not a public event.

Pelosi was sped away with a state highway patrol escort out of the tunnel underneath the depot.

As usual, and in predictable Betty McCollum fashion, she was not available to the public, or to address the concerns of us gathered outside. She refuses to debate Teresa Collett or any past opponent running against her and survives as a candidate by wearing the “D” after her name.

What is Betty afraid of? As the 4th Congressional District candidate, Teresa Collett once said, “Come out and play Betty.” This is what the people want, to see and hear the candidates so they can have the information to judge and decide for themselves.

Betty is afraid to debate. Why? Because she is not very good at it. Take 2008. Ed Matthews put her to shame at a League of Women Voters forum. This being the one and only time I have witnessed her in a debate. This should have gone well for Betty but it didn’t. However “non-partisan” they try to be, the League of Women Voters generally come up short in their attempt. So does Betty as a debater.

So it’s obvious why Betty does not debate. But in the end it’s we the people, the voters, who come up getting short changed with her lack of participation in public debate.