Five Republican candidates hoping to win the right to face U.S. Senator Bob Casey in November all say they have what it takes to score the victory.
The candidates got together for a debate of the issues Thursday in Bucks County and some of them say if the country stays on its current course, it's headed for ruin.
The candidates touched on several subjects during the two and a half hour event. A major concern: taxes.
"What's really important to us besides taking Barack Obama out of the White House is really replacing Bob Casey at this point," said one debate attendee.
The candidates that claim they are best fit to do that job were all in front of a packed crowd at the Loyal Order of the Moose lodge in Doylestown, Bucks County.
"President Obama and Senator Casey are bankrupting our country," said candidate Marc Scaringi. "They've pushed us down on our knees. We are now in the worst shape this country has been in since the Great Depression."
The candidates debated everything from foreign policy to the efforts of the democratic party to balance the federal budget.
"They could not be trusted to cut a birthday cake let alone the budget," said candidate David Christian. "Yes the budget needs to be cut, but you need people with experience that know where to cut and how cut."
All candidates had their ideas to control spending.
"My approach for spending reduction is to follow the Constitution principal basically saying what we are authorized to spend," said Sam Rohrer.

Many in the crowd wanted to hear about taxes.
Some say they want a flat tax, while others feel each person should pay their fair share.
"When you see GE paying zero percent taxes and you see your neighboring small business pay more than zero percent taxes that's not fair," said candidate Steve Welch.
"There are too many people in the wagon and not enough pulling," said candidate Tom Smith. "We all have to pull for this country to survive. If you make a small amount, fine -- you only pay a percentage; if you're medium, fine -- you pay an equal amount."
There are six candidates vying for the GOP nomination,
Candidate Tim Burns from Washington County did not attend the debate.