With Monday’s debate behind them, both Republican Congressman Bill Shuster and his Ninth district challenger Michael DelGrosso are moving into the final stages of their campaign prior to next Tuesday’s primary.
Both campaigns reacted to yesterday morning’s event with typically different viewpoints about it although there was some agreement between the two sides.
“I thought it was a great opportunity to the differences between the two candidates,” said DelGrosso. “I have an economic plan. Bill Shuster has the same old approach.
“I used a visual of a snail in a jar to demonstrate how we are lagging behind in employment and economic growth,” DelGrosso told The Daily Herald. “We can’t continue at a snail’s pace. I intend to hit the ground running when I begin my term.
“Of course we both support the president and his efforts in Iraq and we both believe in bringing money back to the district, but the difference is I believe in going beyond the minimum.”
DelGrosso offered no comment about the personal tone of the debate which came up at several points throughout the event.
“I’m pleased about how the differences came out,” explained DelGrosso. “We need new ideas, a new approach, we shouldn’t be complacent. I don’t think this debate was a deciding blow one way or the other. However, I do think its just one more layer of information.
“I think the cornerstones of my campaign are the 10,300 doors I’ve knocked on and I’ll be out knocking on more the next couple of days,” said DelGrosso.
“I think the speeches, the rallies, the other candidate forums like the ones in Bedford and Chambersburg were also just as important.”
Shuster campaign manager, Ray Zaborney, offered his reaction.
“I think the debate showed a clear choice between the two,” said Zaborney. “One of the candidates has the temperament, the experience and ability to help the ninth district, while the other was unable to answer many of the questions he was asked.
“There was and has been a continuing personal attack designed to demean Bill Shuster,” Zaborney told The Daily Herald.
Zaborney also indicated there was some agreement between the two sides.
“Sure, there was some agreement on the big issues such as taxes but I think the congressman’s experience and ‘know how’ are the big advantages in terms of getting things done,” he said.
“Congressman Shuster has gotten the job done by cutting taxes, dealing with the war on terror and bringing back the dollars to the district. DelGrosso didn’t take the responsibility to vote and he couldn’t really answer the questions he was asked. Why has he gone around and demeaned and attacked Bill Shuster.”
Zaborney offered his thoughts on the challenger’s tactic of displaying a snail in jar to represent the speed at which Shuster is dealing with the issues in the district.
“I think the voters are more interested in what Congressman Shuster has delivered than in Michael’s high school biology project,” said Zaborney.
“I’ve said throughout the campaign Michael DelGrosso better be careful what he wished for when it came to debating the congressman. Well, today he got it.
“Our candidate was poised while DelGrosso was on the defensive,” concluded Zaborney.
The congressman returned to Washington after the debate and then traveled back to Pennsylvania with President Bush on Air Force One.
Shuster then left the president’s side to go onto a event in Chambersburg. Bush appeared in Hershey and later in Pittsburgh to appear at an event to benefit the campaign efforts of Senator Arlen Specter.
Zaborney said Shuster will be in Washington today, Wednesday and Thursday for his congressional duties and then spend the weekend involved in campaign efforts with the Shuster camp involved right up until the polls close next Tuesday.
As for DelGrosso, earlier today, he embarked on marathon designed to have him appear in all fifteen counties in the district between today and Wednesday evening. He’ll wrap up the tour with a rally at the Bellwood Fire Hall scheduled tomorrow at 5:30 p.m.
“It will be nice to wrap up the tour close to my Tipton home,” said DelGrosso. “I expect to see a lot of family and supporters at the rally.”
