Only the most naive political operative would have expected U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli, R-Salem, to appear at a town hall with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz Monday night.

We don’t believe that Mahoning County Democratic Party Chair Chris Anderson is naive. He had to know that Rulli had nothing to gain by joining Walz at what amounted to a Democrat rally in the Mahoning Valley.

Anderson sent Rulli a letter inviting him to join Walz to answer questions about his “role in this attack on Ohio families.” The letter obviously wasn’t simply an invitation to speak. It was an invitation to appear as the guest of honor at a political ambush.

At least Anderson didn’t try to mask the invitation as any sort of olive branch. He knew Rulli wouldn’t be dumb enough to show up as the bull for his political opponents to metaphorically slaughter on stage.

Rulli responded with a letter of his own:

Chairman Anderson,

Thank you for your request that I join you and failed Vice-Presidential candidate Walz at your political rally funded with Democratic campaign funds on Monday, April 7th. I regret to inform you that I will be in Washington DC during this time fulfilling my duty to the more than 750,000 constituents I represent. I will be voting on important legislation — continuing my work to grow our economy, protect Social Security and Medicare for our most vulnerable citizens, and ensure a strong future for our children. The Mahoning Valley embarrassed Mr. Walz and yourself in November, and I am terribly sorry I will not be able to attend your pathetic spectacle in person on Monday.

God Bless America,

Michael A. Rulli

Member of Congress

Ohio’s 6th District

Rulli was smart enough to decline, but for some reason, he decided to give Anderson exactly what he wanted — a sharp response that he could wave around as if he had invited Rulli in good faith. The message was that Rulli doesn’t care enough about his constituents to show up and defend his record, nor the policies of President Donald Trump that have sparked nationwide protests.

Anderson, of course, couldn’t wait to get the word out. It must have been like Christmas morning for him. He called Rulli’s response “politically charged.”

Anderson told David Skolnick, our political reporter, that Walz’s appearance in Youngstown “brings attention to the fact that Rulli is a coward and will do what his party tells him to do. Rulli has refused to meet with his constituents.”

The fact is that Rulli has not had a public meeting in his district. He appeared at a March 19 fundraiser in Boardman, where more than 100 protestors demonstrated outside.

“Beginning in March, a coordinated campaign was launched to pressure Republicans with aggressive, threatening and disrespectful calls, mostly from non-constituents, to host satellite DNC (Democratic National Committee) rallies in their district, inappropriately dubbed ‘town halls,'” Rulli said.

“This effort is being funded by left-wing organizations and amplified by the failed Democratic Party infrastructure in a dishonest attempt to stage a grassroots movement.”

If that’s the case, why take the bait? Rulli could have ignored Anderson’s letter or simply said “Thanks, but no thanks,” instead of engaging in a political slap fight.

Why wouldn’t Democrats send these sorts of “invitations” if they have an inkling that the responses they’ll get will give them even more material?

Rulli has been in Congress since June. No one expected him to show up Monday night to spar with Walz, who is touring midwestern districts that Democrats want to — and believe they can — flip. We’re not sure Walz has the political clout to help them do it, but right now the Trump administration is giving them all the talking points they want and more.

Rulli shouldn’t have contributed to it, but at some point he needs to reassure his constituents — live and in person — that he is working for them, as promised.

Doesn’t he?