1st District candidates discuss veterans and terrorism

There are only a few days left of campaigning for the First District seat in Congress. A couple of candidates say they have the support of veterans. <br><br>News on Six reporter Emory Bryan says Friday

Friday, January 4th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

There are only a few days left of campaigning for the First District seat in Congress. A couple of candidates say they have the support of veterans.

News on Six reporter Emory Bryan says Friday Republican candidate John Sullivan announced an endorsement fromVeterans. John Sullivan, (R) Congressional Candidate: "We need to honor our commitments to these veterans, they fought hard and are from a great generation of people and we need to do all we can to make sure a promise made is a promise kept.â€

A couple of hours later, Democrat Doug Dodd announced his own endorsement from veterans. Doug Dodd, (D) Congressional Candidate: "It makes me very very grateful to have their support because as a veteran they are people I really care about. One of the things I care about in going to Congress is looking after Veterans Affairs."

The flag is always a good background for a campaign, and all the candidates are talking about support for the military. But independent Neil Mavis is urging caution over the erosion of civil liberties in the war on terrorism. Neil Mavis, (I) Congressional Candidate: â€œThe military is over there to protect the United States and the Constitution and I think we did something terribly wrong in terms of throwing the Constitution away with the Patriot act. Right now the government can go and search anyone's house without a warrant and that unbridled power is something to be concerned about.â€

The other independent in the race - David Fares - supports the military action - and more support for the men and women in uniform. David Fares, (I) Congressional Candidate: â€œI think the US is doing the right thing. We don't want this to happen again to Americans, we have to make sure this doesn't happen again."

As the election draws near - support from big blocks of voters could make or break a candidate - and both the big party candidates hope the biggest group of veterans will support them.