Immoral Behavior Jeopardizes GOP Incumbent's Chances, Says Penn. Activist
by Ed Thomas
October 10, 2006
(AgapePress) - - The backdrop of the Mark Foley scandal is making it difficult for a Republican politician who's campaigning to retain his seat in the U.S. House.Don Sherwood is seeking his fifth term as representative of Pennsylvania's 10th District, which includes several counties in the northeast corner of the state. He is a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee as well as vice chairman of the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations. But recent polls -- and a debate with Democratic challenger Chris Carney -- have made Sherwood appear vulnerable, as political newcomer Carney continues to link his opponent's admitted moral lapse with questions about other Republicans in Congress.
Sherwood, 65, admitted to an affair with a 20-something woman, along with allegations of abuse, which was revealed last spring. Now moderate Democrat Carney is using media ads to emphasize the moral failure of an opponent who campaigned on "values." Carney has also tied the values question to fundraising being done in the district for Sherwood by House Majority Leader John Boehner, Speaker Dennis Hastert, and Representative Thomas Reynolds, all implicated in cover-up accusations surrounding the Foley resignation.
Pennsylvania Family Institute president Michael Geer says the affair has definitely affected what was considered nearly another shoo-in for the four-term Republican, who is now trailing Carney in recent local polls.
"What has happened ... in this race is that the Democrat is leading -- and I think that issue of Congressman Sherwood's behavior certainly plays a role in what voters think of him," observes Geer.
Adding to Sherwood's woes is a congressional record perceived as shaky in its results for state residents. Geer believes all those factors have put the Republican's solid rural-based support in doubt.
"I don't think that typically an incumbent Republican in a district that's made up like this one would be having any difficulty in re-election," the Institute leader says. "And I surmise, just from my vantage point, that his behavior with this alleged mistress and the alleged abuse incident is a large part of what's put him in jeopardy."
During a major debate with Carney at Bucknell University last week, Sherwood apologized for his affair then asked voters to focus on his political record instead. He also has taken out a new television ad apologizing for his behavior.
Ed Thomas, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.