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For his own good?

Posted at 10:12 AM on May 24, 2007 by Mike Mulcahy (4 Comments)

Just got this from Mark Mohr, the Chairman of the House District 39A Republicans regarding Jim Metzen's DWI arrest:

"It is sad to see this happen to anybody. Senator Metzen and his family are in my prayers, and I and wish him well. That being said, I am asking Senator Metzen, for the good of his constituents, and the good of the State of Minnesota, to resign his Senate seat so he can concentrate on his alcohol rehabilitation.
"Senator Metzen needs to be held to the same standards of any of his constituents who would be arrested for driving under a .15 blood alcohol content. Despite being a 'lapse in judgement,' his decision to drive home instead of taking a cab or getting a ride home from a designated sober driver endangered the lives of everybody else on the roadway at that particular time. We cannot have Senators who make the laws thinking they are above the law.

"I applaud the South St. Paul police department for their handling of the situation, and the city attorney for seeking a change in venue. In the meantime, I am asking Senator Metzen to resign his Senate seat so he can fully concentrate on his rehabilitation for the good of his district, the best interests of the State Senate, and more importantly, for the good of Jim Metzen."

Comments (4)

Oh, but Rep. Mark Olson shouldn't resign for allegedly beating his wife?
Nice double standard there, huh?

Posted by John | May 24, 2007 11:49 AM

Actually, one of the last acts of Steve Sviggum as Speaker, was to call for Rep. Olson to resign if he is guilty. The House GOP has kicked out Rep. Olson, pending trial. There is, and should be, a presumption of innocence. If he is found guilty, the House will likely expel him.
Sen. Metzen admitted he was guilty, and if he is, Rep. Olson should as well. The person calling for Metzen to resign is the Senate District chair from Metzen's district. Is it a surprise that he doesn't have a comment on Olson, who is from Big Lake?
I personally don't think Metzen should resign over this issue, but you can't say that the GOP is acting with hypocracy on this issue. They (the Minnesota GOP) have handled their member issues appropriately.

Posted by Duncan | May 24, 2007 3:38 PM

Mohr is right - Metzen should step down. It's a public safety thing. At least Olson wasn't endangering the public with his atrocious behavior. Not only that, but at least the Republicans diciplined Olson - the DFL just looks the other way with Metzen.

Posted by Skydancer | May 24, 2007 8:34 PM

Sen. Metzen will have the legislative interim -- all summer, fall, and winter till February -- to "fully concentrate on his rehabilitation for the good of his district." How about we support him in this effort and stop trying to score political points?

Posted by linda | May 26, 2007 1:29 PM

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