Six of the nine candidates running to replace Rep. Zach Wamp in Congress said Wednesday they want President Barack Obama to signal big policy shifts in his State of the Union address.
"I'd like to hear him own up to some of the mistakes he's made," said GOP candidate Tommy Crangle. "He's working on health care and cap and trade, and no one is interested in that. They are interested in jobs."
The candidates spoke at a forum at Chattanooga State Community College. The forum, held on the school's campus, was billed as a way for candidates, who are running for Rep. Wamp's 3rd District seat, to connect with students.
Mr. Crangle and fellow Republicans Chuck Fleischmann, Tim Gobble, Van Irion and Robin Smith attended the forum, as did independent Art Rhodes.
Republicans John Whitley and Jean Howard-Hill and independents Mark DeVol and Greg Goodwin also are candidates, but didn't attend the forum.
No Democrats are in the race.
Rep. Wamp, R-Tenn., is running for Tennessee governor.
Among the conservative candidates, there was no shortage of criticism for Democrats and Mr. Obama's agenda and not much disagreement among themselves.
"I want to hear President Obama say that he is wrong about the way he is taking the country," said Mr. Fleischmann.
NEW CANDIDATEA ninth candidate emerged Wednesday in the crowded race to replace Rep. Zach Wamp in Congress . Jean Howard-Hill, a Republican, has run for the seat once previously. She has taught political science at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and currently serves as the National Republican African-American Caucus. She lives in East Brainerd.
Mr. Irion, from Knoxville, took a more direct approach.
"'I quit.' That's what I want to hear Barack Obama say," Mr. Irion said. "Barring that, I'd like to hear him say 'I'm sorry' ... for trying to bring our country to communism."
The student questioners said the candidates answered many of their questions, but also said there was some dodging
"I don't think some of the questions were directly answered," said student Ted Nelson, who asked about homeland security in light of the Christmas Day attempted airline bombing. "I got the feeling that some of the candidates weren't even really aware of the topics."