Sen. Rick Santorum said Monday that the public should wait until all the facts come out regarding a woman's
allegations of abuse against fellow Republican U.S. Rep. Don Sherwood before passing judgment.
Constituents also should consider Sherwood's job performance.
Earlier this year, Cynthia Ore, 29, of Maryland said she had been romantically involved with Sherwood, who
is married, for five years and claimed that he tried to choke her in September. She has since sued him for $5.5 million, alleging
that Sherwood had physically abused her.
Santorum faced questioning about Sherwood, R-Tunkhannock, during a Monday afternoon press conference at the
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center with VA Secretary James Nicholson.
"I don't know how that's going to shake out," Santorum said. "All I would suggest is that, again, until we
know all the facts and we look at the job that Congressman Sherwood is doing and make decisions based on the facts and the
work he's doing."
When asked whether the allegations have hurt the Republican Party, Santorum did not answer the question directly,
saying "I think what hurts and helps the Republican Party is what we're doing in serving the American people."
Santorum cited a highway bill he said will bring economic development to Northeastern Pennsylvania and an
energy bill that should address high gas prices. "It's important to focus on what our job is for the American public," he
said.
The senator said the media likes to focus on racy and scandalous stories. "The American public would like
to see results," said Santorum. He said he's focused on results such as getting better care for veterans.
Pennsylvania's treasurer, Democrat Bob Casey Jr., plans to run for the U.S. Senate in 2006. A man circulated
a campaign flier for Casey during Santorum's VA appearance. It accused Santorum of ignoring previous warnings that the VA
would face a funding shortfall and for voting against increasing veterans' health care funding in April.
By Bonnie Adams, Times Leader, Jul 19, 2005
Back to Home
