Even Montana's small conservative papers have acknowledged that the drunken boat wreck in which Montana's lone Congressman Dennis Rehberg got wasted, let a friend drive drunk, and ran up an estimated $1.5 million tab for health care and work comp claims for himself and his staff is a campaign issue. This week, the Clark Fork Chronicle asked this question of Rehberg and his primary opponents:
Montana's culture accepts (and often promotes) the over-consumption of alcohol by both adults and youth, and we spend over $500 million a year "cleaning up" the effects of that overuse. Our communities of Frenchtown, Alberton, and Superior have experienced multiple tragedies in recent years related to alcohol abuse. As an adult and a leader in Montana, how will you set an example of responsible use of alcohol, and how will you help create a better culture for our youth.
Rehberg's answers are ridiculous:
Cross posted at Left in the West. Those interested in communicating directly with the author may do so there.
Rehberg's answers are ridiculous:
Montanans get nervous whenever politicians start blaming "culture" for choices made by individuals. Once you blame everyone for the bad decisions of a few, it's easy to justify restricting the liberty of the group. That's the philosophy behind gun control laws - punish everyone for the abuse of a few. I believe that folks should be held accountable for their own actions, and not punished for the actions of others. That's the Western style of individual responsibility that has made Montana such a special place to live.
So, Montanans don't want us to do anything about drunk driving and boating? I beg to differ.
Since that wreck a week has not gone by without major news reports about DUI problems in MT. For example, the legislature is considering no less than 11 bills already, the MT Dept of Transportation DUI Task Force has been running a compelling PSA campaign, a top priority of Attorney General Steve Bullock.
As some folks know, last summer I was a passenger in a boat which was involved in an accident on Flathead Lake. Two of my staff members were seriously injured and I broke my ankle pretty badly. Law enforcement authorities have alleged the driver of the boat had a blood alcohol content that exceeded the legal limit for operating a vehicle. The case involving the driver of the boat is currently moving through the legal process.
As has been reported in the Montana media, and supported by eyewitness accounts as well as blood alcohol testing I made available to the public, I was not intoxicated the night of the accident.
Wrong. Rehberg would be telling the truth if he said that his BAC was not over the legal limit at the time his BAC levels were measured, hours after the accident occured. But standard calculations potentially put Rehberg at having a BAC of .095%, which is over the legal limit at the time of crash.
Why does this matter?
One of Rehberg's Republican primary opponents, Mark French, says:
"I will set a positive example as far as judgment and alcohol usage. I will not come home and embarrass my state during my boating experiences. I know accidents happen. There was really bad judgment in that incident. I personally believe that a leader of this capacity should be of clear mind at all times."
Exactly. He should have been in clear enough mind BEFORE the evening of drinking commenced to designate a sober driver.
Some of my opponents have determined there is political gain to be had at my expense regarding this accident and are trying to make it a campaign issue. Fortunately, Montanans know a false, negative campaign attack when they see it.
Rehberg is telling us here that if we don't believe his version of the story, that we aren't smart enough to know better. We deserve better than a Congressman who can't take responsibility for his actions when responsibility is called for, or even own up to his mistakes afterword.