The public had a terrific opportunity last week to hear from four Democrats running for Congress this fall, before the Cayuga County Democratic Committee met later that night to pick who they were going to endorse.

Rarely do local parties open their doors to the public to get a feel for the candidates before they are even picked by their party.

Five candidates were invited to Auburn for the public forum. For the open 24th Congressional seat (now held by Republican U.S. Rep. Sherwood Boehlert), Oneida County District Attorney Michael Arcuri was present; his only substantial primary opponent, Les Roberts, pulled out of the race earlier that day.

Three candidates hoping to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. James T. Walsh also appeared: Monroe County attorney Paloma Capanna, former Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan aide Dan Maffei and Cayuga County resident and teacher Ken Howland. The questions at the event were varied and well thought-out. Since they came from local Democrats and the public, they may be a sign of the subjects that might come up, at least in the Congressional races, this fall.

They asked how they would address a perceived lack of funding in education for the Leave No Child Behind Act; their experiences in creating jobs; whether they would support efforts to allow insurance companies to not cover mammograms and pap smears; their opinions on faith-based funding; the Indian land claims; and the standard queries on abortion, same-sex marriages and immigration.

Give Cayuga County Democratic Chairwoman Laurie Michelman credit for providing an opportunity for her party's committee people and the public to hear the candidates in these two competitive races prior to an endorsement.

The big question now is whether local Republican leaders will open up their own process to the public and Republican committee people on or before they meet on Monday, June 12.

With possibly three races going to September primaries, it might be in the local GOP's interest to show off the candidates prior to petitions being circulated. After last week's forum, Howland pulled out of the congressional race.

If last Friday night's Republican Spring Dinner was any indication of what may come, there clearly looks to be a possible primary for Boehlert's seat between former Seneca Falls Mayor Brad Jones and state Sen. Ray Meier and for Cayuga County Sheriff between incumbent Sheriff Rob Outhouse and former New York State Trooper David Gould.

Assemblyman Jeff Brown may also have a primary opponent in businessman Tom Dadey (though he was noticeably absent from Friday's dinner) for the Republican nod to take on incumbent state Sen. David Valesky.

Cosentino is a former mayor of Auburn and can be e-mailed at cozguytho@aol.com