Trending
Neither 12th Congressional candidate was willing to budge an inch on where they stood on any issue during their debate Thursday night.
Republican Fred Keller and Democrat Marc Friedenberg showed a WVIA-TV audience how they are different, and perhaps that they are willing to fight -- including with each other.
The two took questions on topics ranging from campaign money and Second Amendment rights to health care.
Their opening statements perhaps set the tone for what would soon follow.
Friedenberg, an assistant professor of cybersecurity and cyberlaw at Penn State University, said he's running for Congress to protect the values he's taught his daughters.
He said people need to be able to retire with dignity.
"Every American deserves the chance to succeed," he said.
Keller, a state representative from Snyder County who operated his own business, referred to his humble roots.
"America is the greatest country on the face of the earth," he said.
He grew up poor, he said, in a home without electricity or running water.
It was there his father taught him the values of hard work and an education.
In his opening statement, Keller also spoke out against the New Green Deal and expansion of Medicare, calling them unaffordable.
Regarding health care, Keller said he believes people with pre-existing health conditions must be covered.
"My opponent supports socialized medicine," he said, in what became the initial shot fired during the debate.
Keller said people need control over their health care, instead of putting it into the hands of the government.
Friedenberg noted how thousands of Americans continue to be without health care.
Despite the Affordable Care Act, there is more than can be done, he added.
He said the Republican Congress voted repeatedly to do away with the Affordable Care Act.
"My opponent's record is abysmal," he said.
Keller countered that under Gov. Corbett the state got the Healthy Pennsylvania program.
"Wolf took it away," he said.
The candidates responded to a question about being influenced by campaign money.
Friedenberg said he favors getting rid of all corporate spending.
Political Action Committees, not corporations, give to campaigns, Keller responded.
"When people allow them to influence them that's wrong," he said. "I haven't followed the party line."
It comes down, Keller said, to electing people who will do what they say and about results.
"My opponent does get PAC money, including from the Club for Growth," Friedenberg said. "They want to take away your Social Security."
Friedenberg said he's seen first-hand how students face crippling student debt loans.
"It's holding them back," he said.
Remedies to the problem could include debt forgiveness programs.
"Not everyone needs to go to a four-year college," Keller said.
He said people need first to be ready for college.
"We can't just get rid of the debt load," he said.
Keller added that perhaps Friedenberg is teaching for free which would "create new debt."
Friedenberg said he is a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights.
A step in the right direction to help counter shooting deaths is a state law that removes guns from people accused of domestic abuse, he said.
He credited Keller with supporting the law.
He also noted that the number one gun deaths are suicides.
"Evidently, his position has changed," Keller said of his opponent.
He accused Friedenberg of calling for a ban on some classes of weapons.
"We need to quit focusing on the instrument of crime," he added.
The candidates were asked about what can be done about the rise in hate crimes.
Friedenberg said there has been a rising tide of white nationalism.
"People are getting radicalized," he said. "We need to make sure social media platforms are held accountable."
Keller said, "We aren't a country built on hate."
He called for people to respect each others' views.
"There is a lot of blame to go around. We need to hold each other accountable," he said.
Regarding the nation's rising debt problem, Keller again attacked the New Green Deal and Medicare expansion.
"That doesn't fix it," he said. "What fixes it is a good strong economy."
Friedenberg countered that the Republicans supported a tax bill that provided tax cuts to the rich.
"My opponent wants to raise taxes on the middle class so they pay their fair share," Keller said.
Friedenberg later said he supports tax cuts for the middle class.
Keller responded that Friedenberg did indeed support a tax hike for the middle class.
"He put it on his website," he said.
Each candidate was given a chance to offer closing remarks.
Keller said he wants to ensure everyone has the American Dream.
"I believe you should have control of your money. My opponent wants to raise taxes on the middle class," he said.
He said he is about results, not rhetoric.
Friedenberg said not everyone gets the same opportunities.
"We can do better," he said.
A panel comprised of Williamsport Sun-Gazette Editor L. Lee Janssen, Mark Lawrence, of WKOK Radio, and Anne Danahy, of WPSU Radio asked the candidates questions.
WVIA's Larry Vojtko served as moderator.