Sorting Out 5-Way GOP Senate Race

Pa.'s Republican Senate hopefuls may struggle with appeal

The five Republicans hoping to challenge U.S. Sen. Bob Casey's re-election bid complain that the Democrat supports President Barack Obama's agenda.

But the GOP candidates themselves are likely to have a difficult time explaining to Democrats or swing voters how they might buck Republican leadership.

Their answers to an Associated Press questionnaire suggest they'd break to the conservative side in opposing a Mitt Romney administration or Republican congressional leaders on fiscal policy.

Tom Smith and David Christian were vague in answering a question about what would cause them to buck Romney or party leaders.

Meanwhile, Sam Rohrer and Marc Scaringi say they'd have opposed raising the nation's debt limit last year. Steve Welch says he'd oppose any debt or deficit reduction plan that doesn't include a balanced budget amendment.

Democrat Joe Vodvarka is challenging Casey in the Democratic Senate primary on April 24.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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