Joe DioGuardi speaks with reporters at this morning's campaign stop in West Seneca.
WEST SENECA -- U.S. Senate candidate Joe DioGuardi made a campaign stop at Fitness Factory on Union Road this morning.
The Republican challenger, who's running against Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, toured the facility and spoke with gym-goers before meeting with reporters.
2:19 p.m.: When asked to elaborate on his previous statement that the government should look at who really needs "safety net" programs, like food stamps and Medicare, here's how DioGuardi responded:
1:56 p.m.: DioGuardi has previously said he would like to see more efficient spending by the Pentagon. After answering a question about his views on that issue, he moved into his positions on Iraq and Afghanistan. Listen here:
1:43 p.m.: DioGuardi also used the campaign stop to criticize his opponent, who was appointed by Gov. David A. Paterson to fill the vacancy caused when Hillary Rodham Clinton left to become secretary of state in President Barack Obama's administration.
DioGuardi said Gillibrand has had two years in office.
"Give me two years," he said. "If she wants to come back in two years, we'll have a nice even race at that time. I think that's fair."
DioGuardi also pointed to Gillibrand's previous work as an attorney for the tobacco giant Philip Morris, information he said he believes Gillibrand is trying to hide.
Gillibrand has previously defended her work by saying she was a young associate at a large firm.
1:22 p.m.: DioGuardi, a former Congressman, used his stop at the Union Road gym as an entry point to discuss health care -- the first in a list of the many problems that need attention, he said.
DioGuardi has said he would vote to repeal the health care law passed by Congress last year, while Gillibrand called it a strong bill during the race's first debate earlier this month.
One key to controlling health care costs is preventative care, he said, an aspect of which is being practiced by those who exercise in health clubs.
He went on to cite the problems of foreclosures and unemployment, the latter of which "may be much worse than you think," he said. Here's more of what he said about how he sees the problems facing New York:
11:52 a.m.: DioGuardi is coming off a debate with Gillibrand last Thursday. Here's an Associated Press report from another DioGuardi campaign stop earlier this month. The AP published this report on the first DioGuardi-Gillibrand debate.
Check back for video and audio of what DioGuardi said this morning.
