It Took Long Enough

Four days after his egregious gaffe, Bob Roggio finally apologizes.

Roggio Admits Mistake In Criticizing Gerlach
By: Bradley Vasoli, The Bulletin
05/22/2008

Democrat Bob Roggio's congressional campaign admitted yesterday he mistakenly criticized U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-Pa.) for not appearing to vote several times in Congress last week.

The congressman's mother, Helen, died last Wednesday at the age of 79, and Mr. Gerlach returned to Pennsylvania to attend the funeral.

"The Roggio campaign would like to sincerely apologize to Mr. Gerlach," Roggio spokesman James Hesky told The Bulletin yesterday. "We understand the importance of taking the time he needs to be with his family." Mr. Hesky added that Mr. Roggio sent a personal letter of apology and condolence to his opponent Tuesday, which the congressman has yet to receive as of this writing.

Mr. Gerlach wrote an open letter to Mr. Roggio Tuesday expressing distaste for the Democrat's decision to attack him for the votes he missed on veterans' education benefits, agricultural policy and other matters without inquiring about the reason for his absence and not making an initial apology when he did learn what kept the congressman out of Washington.

"It is my understanding that, after your initial attack release and acquiring a knowledge of why I didn't attend session last week, you issued a second release that contained no apology for your attack or even a simple acknowledgement that you were wrong to attack me under these circumstances," Mr. Gerlach wrote. "Consequently, given your behavior, I would encourage you to re-examine exactly why you are running for public office and whether you have the judgment to properly represent the great 6th Congressional District."

The public statement from Mr. Roggio and his campaign staff to which Mr. Gerlach referred read, in entirety, "We wish to offer our deepest condolences to Jim Gerlach and his family on his mother's passing."

"After two pretty tragic missteps I guess he just lacked the guts to pick up the phone and call," Gerlach spokesman Mark Campbell said. "Jim would have just let the whole thing go if he just picked up the phone and apologized privately. This is just adding insult to injury."

Mr. Gerlach and Mr. Roggio are vying to represent the 6th Congressional District, comprising represents parts of Chester, Montgomery, Berks and Lehigh counties.

Bradley Vasoli can be reached at bvasoli@thebulletin.us

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