# republican nominee for gov MN, 2 DWIs **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [July 31, 2010, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-nominee-for-gov-mn-2-dwis/548671 "2010-07-31T08:46:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![satoridt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@satoridt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/satoridt)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2010, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-nominee-for-gov-mn-2-dwis/548671/1 "2010-07-31T08:46:05Z")
Ignore the politics. Would you not vote for someone based solely on the fact that they have received 2 DWIs? > **[Tom Emmer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Emmer)** > > Thomas Earl Emmer Jr. (born March 3, 1961) is an American attorney and politician serving as the House Majority Whip since 2023 and the U.S. representative for Minnesota's 6th congressional district since 2015. The district includes the far western and northern suburbs of Minneapolis in the Twin Cities metropolitan area and covers a large part of rural Central Minnesota, an area abundant in agricultural activity. The largest city in the district is Blaine, a northern exurb of the Twin Cities. IMHO Emmers position on most issues is pretty vile, but that is besides the point. Pretend your ideal candidate was perfect in every way but had received two DWIs, would that eliminate them from your consideration? ---
**Author:** ![tumbleddown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tumbleddown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tumbleddown)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2010, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-nominee-for-gov-mn-2-dwis/548671/2 "2010-07-31T10:09:47Z")
It would depend on how long ago the violations occurred and if it seemed that the person was still drinking to excess today. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2010, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-nominee-for-gov-mn-2-dwis/548671/3 "2010-07-31T13:04:44Z")
Emmer’s last violation was twenty years ago. I guess all other things being equal, it would be a strike against him, but not a particularly major one, and if he was a perfect candidate in all other respects, I’d almost certainly vote for him. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2010, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-nominee-for-gov-mn-2-dwis/548671/4 "2010-07-31T15:50:15Z")
Two DWIs is much more than twice as serious as one. If it were one, and it was a long time ago, I could maybe accept that he was young and stupid, but getting caught scared him straight. With two, though, that’s harder to buy, and at the very least shows that he’s a slow learner. Plus, of course, there are all the many other times when he drove drunk and wasn’t caught: It’s plausible that someone who only drove drunk once just happened to be caught that one time, but it’s much less plausible that someone who only drove drunk twice happened to get caught both times. ---
**Author:** ![satoridt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@satoridt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/satoridt)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2010, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-nominee-for-gov-mn-2-dwis/548671/5 "2010-07-31T18:27:19Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Two DWIs is much more than twice as serious as one. If it were one, and it was a long time ago, I could maybe accept that he was young and stupid, but getting caught scared him straight. With two, though, that’s harder to buy, and at the very least shows that he’s a slow learner. Plus, of course, there are all the many other times when he drove drunk and wasn’t caught: It’s plausible that someone who only drove drunk once just happened to be caught that one time, but it’s much less plausible that someone who only drove drunk twice happened to get caught both times. This is similar to my feeling on the subject. I can almost certainly forgive on DWI offense, particularly if it occurred long ago. Bu two is a little harder to understand. At the very lest it show poor judgment and a disturbing lack of responsibility. Those are two qualities I need to see in my candidates. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2010, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-nominee-for-gov-mn-2-dwis/548671/6 "2010-07-31T19:32:45Z")
I think I would also consider how they treated the information (tried to keep it from the public vs open admission, etc.) and how they talked about it. We all expect our public figures to issue pro-forma statements about regretting their actions, learning from their mistakes, growing as a person, blah blah blah. It is a bit ritualistic, but there it is. If they made the proper statements, prostrated themselves in front of the public and media (so to speak) then I would play my assigned part and absolve them of their sins. If not, then f\*ck-em. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2010, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-nominee-for-gov-mn-2-dwis/548671/7 "2010-07-31T20:08:32Z")
I’ve always maintained that anybody can fuck up and get a DUI. Two or more, though, means you’re an alcoholic. I’ve seen that demon and I would never vote it into a position of responsibility. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2010, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-nominee-for-gov-mn-2-dwis/548671/8 "2010-07-31T20:27:07Z")
Twenty years ago? complete non issue. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2010, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-nominee-for-gov-mn-2-dwis/548671/9 "2010-07-31T20:48:31Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > Twenty years ago? complete non issue. I don’t believe that for a second. I have an uncle who drinks and drives every single day, and hasn’t had a DUI since the 80s. He just learned how not to get caught. I also know of a politician who got 2 DUIs in the 70s, then a 3rd in 2008. AFAIK he pretty much didn’t deny accusations that he was DUI that whole time and just didn’t get caught. If you don’t learn your lesson the first time, then alcohol’s grip on you is stronger than your reason and judgement, and - beyond NEVER being allowed behind the wheel of a car again - you aren’t fit to hold public office IMO. ---
**Author:** ![sleestak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-nominee-for-gov-mn-2-dwis/548671/10 "2010-08-01T19:20:53Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > > [@DigitalC](#): > > > > Twenty years ago? complete non issue. > > I don’t believe that for a second. I have an uncle who drinks and drives every single day, and hasn’t had a DUI since the 80s. He just learned how not to get caught. > > I also know of a politician who got 2 DUIs in the 70s, then a 3rd in 2008. AFAIK he pretty much didn’t deny accusations that he was DUI that whole time and just didn’t get caught. > > If you don’t learn your lesson the first time, then alcohol’s grip on you is stronger than your reason and judgement, and - beyond NEVER being allowed behind the wheel of a car again - you aren’t fit to hold public office IMO. What about those who do find recovery from alcoholism? There are plenty of people, some on this board, who have had DUIs and then found recovery. Me included. Maybe he is still a drunk but it is quite possible that he got clean and sober. (for the record I have no idea about this guy) What about people with a history of depression? They do some wacky stuff like try to kill themselves. Should someone who once had depression then found treatment for the problem never hold office? Slee ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-nominee-for-gov-mn-2-dwis/548671/11 "2010-08-01T19:55:26Z")
> [@sleestak](#): > > What about those who do find recovery from alcoholism? There are plenty of people, some on this board, who have had DUIs and then found recovery. Me included. > > Maybe he is still a drunk but it is quite possible that he got clean and sober. (for the record I have no idea about this guy) That’s fine, but I’m not going to vote for you, and I still think it should be a major criminal offense for anyone with 2 DUIs to ever so much as sniff a steering wheel again. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2010, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-nominee-for-gov-mn-2-dwis/548671/12 "2010-08-02T00:45:19Z")
> [@satoridt](#): > > Ignore the politics. Would you not vote for someone based solely on the fact that they have received 2 DWIs? > > [Tom Emmer - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Emmer) > > IMHO Emmers position on most issues is pretty vile, but that is besides the point. Pretend your ideal candidate was perfect in every way but had received two DWIs, would that eliminate them from your consideration? Nah. Churchill won WWII without drawing a sober breath. And governors get chauffeurs anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2010, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-nominee-for-gov-mn-2-dwis/548671/13 "2010-08-02T00:58:56Z")
The bigger problem with Emmer is his extreme right wing politics. He’s a teabagger candidate, not just a Republican. He also had a big flap a couple of weeks ago when he went to a local restaurant and said that servers make too much money from tips and we should cut their salaries. He said that servers in restaurants make a hundred grand a year. Not at any restaurant I ever worked at. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2010, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-nominee-for-gov-mn-2-dwis/548671/14 "2010-08-02T02:45:09Z")
> [@](#): > > What about those who do find recovery from alcoholism? There are plenty of people, some on this board, who have had DUIs and then found recovery. Me included. Sure, but actions have consequences, and one consequence here is that it’ll take a lot of work to prove yourself trustworthy again. How do I know you won’t backslide again? The burden of proof is on you. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2010, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-nominee-for-gov-mn-2-dwis/548671/15 "2010-08-02T04:23:55Z")
I’m not sure that Emmer has said he doesn’t drink anymore. If he’s still an _active_ alcoholic, that’s an issue (and yes, I know Churchill was too, but Tom Emmer ain’t no Winston Churchill). ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-nominee-for-gov-mn-2-dwis/548671/16 "2010-08-22T22:50:51Z")
Nitpick: He has been convicted of 1 DUI. He was accused of a second, and plead it down to careless driving. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-nominee-for-gov-mn-2-dwis/548671/17 "2010-08-23T00:27:12Z")
In general, I wouldn’t much care. _Ceteris paribus_, I’d vote for the other guy, but it wouldn’t crack my top 100 list of issues otherwise. In this specific instance, stuff like this might give me a bit more pause: > [@](#): > > On May 13, 2010, Emmer was one of three legislators to not vote on a bill that would have provided such tougher penalties for drunk drivers. Emmer said that he missed the vote when a previously scheduled lunch ran long, and that he had “no idea” how he would have voted on the bill, but that he “assume[d]” he would have supported it Doesn’t sound like he’s particularly repentant. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-nominee-for-gov-mn-2-dwis/548671/18 "2010-08-23T18:15:57Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > The bigger problem with Emmer is his extreme right wing politics. Does it include a Get Tough On Crime[tm] plank? > [@](#): > > Emmer said that he missed the vote when a previously scheduled lunch ran long The third martini was late? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-nominee-for-gov-mn-2-dwis/548671/19 "2010-08-23T20:53:46Z")
All else being equal, I’d vote for the guy without DUIs. But when is all else equal? If it were Emmers’ opponent who had two DUIs, I’d still vote for him just to keep Emmers out of office. I’d expect that people who agree with Emmers feel more or less the same about whoever it is he’s running against. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-nominee-for-gov-mn-2-dwis/548671/20 "2010-08-23T22:38:21Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > The bigger problem with Emmer is his extreme right wing politics. He’s a teabagger candidate, not just a Republican. Sure that’s just tea in his cup? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-nominee-for-gov-mn-2-dwis/548671.md?page=2)