Fitzpatrick, Strouse spar in first debate

First they debated about debates. Today, the candidates finally squared off on the issues.

At the first of three scheduled debates between U.S. Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R., Pa.) and Democratic challenger Kevin Strouse, the two used an hour of radio airtime Wednesday to stake out positions on issues like healthcare, economic development, and foreign policy.

They also took occasional shots at one another, with Fitzpatrick calling Strouse a "recruit" of national Democrats, and Strouse characterizing his opponent as an embodiment of a gridlocked Washington.

"I was not recruited by a national party," said Fitzpatrick, 51, a former Bucks County Commissioner seeking a fourth term in the House. "I'm the candidate who will stand up to the President."

Strouse, 35, a first-time candidate and former Army Ranger, said he was a problem solver who has a history of putting country first. "The alternative," he said, "is two more years of the same."

Throughout the broadcast on WNPV-1440, Fitzpatrick and Strouse each hit on familiar themes of their campaigns.

Fitzpatrick, re-elected in 2012 by 13 points, saved some of his harshest criticism for President Obama. He said Obama has been "slow to react" on the Ebola outbreak, and recommended restricting travel from West African countries where the virus exists.

He also hammered Obama on the Veterans Affairs scandal, and discussed his work with a local whistleblower on the issue, citing it as an example of standing up for constituents.

Strouse, on the other hand, said he wants to spur federal action on investments in pre-Kindergarten and infrastructure. And he continued to cast Washington as the land of dysfunction, saying he has a history, in the Army and at the Central Intelligence Agency, of finding solutions under difficult circumstances.

The two disagreed often - Fitzpatrick pressed Strouse on details of a particular aspect of the healthcare law, and during a discussion on the economy he criticized Strouse by saying, "A lot of platitudes, not a lot of specifics."

But after about an hour, the debate came to a close.

Still, two more debates scheduled ahead of the Nov. 4 election: one on Thurs., Oct 23 at 12:15 p.m., at Lower Bucks Campus of Bucks County Community College. The other is on Fri., Oct. 24 at 8 a.m., at the Waterwheel Restaurant, 4424 Old Easton Rd. in Doylestown.