In Monday’s Daily Herald, Republican congressional candidate Michael DelGrosso made note of an internet survey by the Public Opinion of Chambersburg. The survey asked if Congressman Shuster’s recent trip to Iraq was a good use of taxpayer money. There were 181 responses and 91.2 percent said “no” and 8.8 percent said “yes.”
In a press release, DelGrosso said, “the results of the poll are very consistent with the opinions I have heard over the past two weeks of my door to door campaign. People tell me they are angry — they want their congressman to be focused on the economy and unemployment issues right here at home. They want to know why someone with no military experience, who does not sit on the Armed Services or Appropriations Committee made a trip to Iraq when we have plenty of military experts who can make these assessments.”
Shuster’s press secretary Angelo Terrana responded to the survey and DelGrosso’s charges.
“We could easily have four or five campaign workers vote on the internet too, but that wouldn’t help the voters of the Ninth District,” said Terrana. “There is no way to tell if a human being voted in the survey. There could have been a monkey hitting the mouse to respond to that poll.”
DelGrosso, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, has complained about Shuster’s lack of military experience.
“If Michael DelGrosso is going to complain about Bill going to Iraq or Afghanistan, he needs to be with Bill when we meets and talks with the wives, husbands and parents of these soldiers who are serving our country,” said Terrana. “He tells the families that we are doing everything we can for them and that their loved ones say hello. When he does that, then we’ll talk about the responsibility of being a congressman.
The trip to Iraq was important for Shuster.
“Congress is responsible for making sure that the troops have everything to get the job done, be safe and get home as quickly as possible,” said Terrana. “The best way to judge that is to go and see for yourself first hand. If Bill doesn’t go, another congressman from another area would have.”
DelGrosso has charged that Shuster is doing nothing to help the local economy recover.
“In your article Monday with DelGrosso, he promoted the business incubator that is at Juniata College,” said Terrana. “Congressman Shuster helped secure the funding for that program. If Michael DelGrosso is so tuned into these programs, he would know that Bill helped secure the funding for it. We do thank him for the compliment on how the program is performing.”
With tomorrow being September 11, Shuster still is not sure where he will be observing the day.
“It depends on the voting schedule,” said Terrana. “The congressman will be observing either at the Capitol Building or in Shanksville with Secretary Norman.”
