The three democratic candidates for the 5th Congressional District made a campaign stop to address retirees and community members at the Foxdale Village Retirement Community, 500 E. Marylyn Ave., yesterday.
Rick Vilello, mayor of Lock Haven, Bill Cahir, Class of 1990 and two-tour Iraq war veteran, and Mark McCracken, Clearfield County commissioner, spoke about each of their platforms and fielded numerous questions from a local audience of more than 50 people.
Three Foxdale residents and Arthur Goldschmidt organized the event.
Vilello said he cares about the country and the direction in which it is going and that he wants to keep the community's children and grandchildren working close to home.
"We need to be No. 1. Our children need to be No. 1," Vilello said.
He said the United States needs to pull its troops out of Iraq and that a diplomatic solution should be sought.
"It's time for a diplomatic surge," he said.
Universal healthcare without all the paperwork is another issue to be undertaken, Vilello added.
Cahir spoke about similar topics. He spoke of the necessity of universal health care as well as preventing Interstate 80 from being tolled, but he also said he supported a phased withdrawal from Iraq.
"I am running for Congress because I am concerned about the economy," he said.
McCracken said he supports rural industry and bringing in long-lasting jobs. He said that if he reaches Washington, D.C., he will be a leader in the alternative fuel industry and energy independence.
Vilello said one problem with foreign policy is that the United States needs to treat other countries as equals.
He added that the United States could invest in neighboring countries to contribute to their economies and its own.
The candidates also addressed the issue of spending in the congressional race after an audience member asked about how they would compete against Matt Shaner, who has spent $1.2 million as of March 28, according to the Federal Election Commission Web site, fec.gov.
McCracken said he has been outspent in political campaigns before, adding "but they can't buy the experience."
Cahir recounted his leadership in combat and said a "Republican nominee does not scare me one bit."
Vilello said he and other Democrats are hoping to flip the seat. He added that any winner of the 5th Congressional District's Democratic nomination would receive his support.
Goldschmidt asked how the candidates would go about choosing their respective staffs.
McCracken said he would look for a staff that upheld the area's values and would have positions for people on veterans' issues and economic development.
"A good staff member is gonna be ... a life-long learner," Cahir said, adding that he would hire from within the state.
Vilello said he currently has an intelligent staff surrounding him and looks to have the best people around him.
