NEW YORK, May 3, 2008
N.Y. Congressman Apologizes For DUI Arrest
Republican Pleads Forgiveness, But Will Not Resign, After Driving At Twice Legal Limit Of Alcohol
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Rep. Vito Fossella, R-N.Y., listens to a question Friday, May 2, 2008, at a press conference in New York. Fossella, who represents Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn, was arrested early Thursday outside Washington and charged with driving while intoxicated. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)
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- N.Y. Congressman Busted For DWI
Vito J. Fossella, who represents Staten Island and part of Brooklyn, was arrested outside Washington early Thursday after a dinner celebrating the football team's meeting with President Bush to honor this year's Super Bowl win. He said he was heading to meet some friends in Virginia when he was pulled over in Alexandria.
Court records show that Fossella, who was charged with drunken driving, had a blood-alcohol level of 0.17 percent, more than twice the legal limit. If he is convicted, he will have to serve a mandatory five days in jail due to a minimum that kicks in for levels above 0.15 percent.
CBS Station WCBS reports that Fossella held a carefully-scripted press briefing in Staten Island on Friday, coached by aides and refusing to answer specific questions about his arrest.
Pleading forgiveness, he said he failed to set an example and deeply regrets his actions.
"This was an error in judgment," he said. "This was a mistake I will never make again."
According to The New York Times, the Alexandria, Va. police report stated Fossella had a “strong smell of alcoholic beverage” and failed several sobriety tests after he was stopped for running a red light. Fossella reportedly told the policeman that he was driving to pick up his daughter to take to the hospital.
However on Friday, the Times reports, Fossella said that he was on his way to visit friends when he was pulled over.
Fossella announced he would not resign. He would not comment on the specifics of the case.
"Politics right now is the last thing on my mind. Right now, it's the embarrassment I caused my family, my friends and the people of this community," he said.
The New York congressman spent more than six hours in jail. The arrest could complicate a re-election bid this year for Fossella, who is New York City's only Republican representative in Congress.
The Democratic Party has eyed Fossella as a potential target in elections this year, when Republicans were already expecting an uphill fight. Two Democrats are competing in a primary for the chance to unseat him.
Political consultant Mike Paul, who has served as an aide to Republicans including former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and Sen. Alfonse D'Amato, said Fossella has already taken the right first step by not waiting to speak publicly.
"Long term, this is a flash in the pan," Paul said. "He's got to handle it the right way and get back on his message."
Even though Fossella has spoken out against President Bush on some issues like the Iraq war, the national Republican leadership has rallied to lend him a hand in his re-election campaign, sending Vice President Dick Cheney to endorse him recently.
Fossella won the seat in a 1997 special election while serving on the City Council.
© MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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- THAT is NOT what he said and YOU know it! God where do you freaks come from?? These Snake Oil Salesmen go out pander to high heaven on "Family Values" and you poor people just keep drinking the Kool Aid. It''''s beyond disgusting. NO politician has EVER been able to give ANYONE "Moral''''s"....
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Posted by skyk at 10:09 AM : May 04, 2008
+ report abuse
he found grqatification in the fact that he was republican and christian. He thought it was nice to see him brought low because he was a christian. He didn''t care about the violation and thinks apparently that only christians are looking for undesserved forgiveness. He apparrently wouldn''t have felt that way if he was a liberal dem who didn''t stand up for family values. I guess if you don''t stand up for morality then when you do something wrong it isn''t wrong or you just don''t get your jollies from it.
I''ve noted a signifcant double standard whereby people who advocate family values and screw up are lambasted and liberals for want of a better term can do the equivalent and not get the same criticism.
It tires me to here that only conservatives or christians are self righteous but liberals who have created this elaborate political correctness standard are never. See the fall of Don Imus and the many that defended him for doing what I consider obscene - Reply to this comment
- I am tired of our law makers breaking the law! I don''t care if they are rep or demo''s none of them are above the law. If they expect the American people to live by the letter of the law then they as law makers should be held to the same if not more. When they break the law they should have to give up their job, how will we ever believe or trust them if they can''t even call a cab when they are Drunk. After all we the people would pay for the cab ride in the long run anyways!!! Why do I feel this way? Google Judge Bobbie Bridge of Washington State, she is still on the bench throwing the book at drunk drivers even though she was caught herself!! She should have been thrown off the bench!!!
- Reply to this comment
- It shouldn''t matter what party is behind him, he broke the law and worse he claimed he was going to pick up his daughter. He was drunk and planning to pick up a child and put her into the cay with him and drive her around while drunk. there is not one reason in the world to think it would be okay under any circumstances for him to lead any governing body, he isn''t able to make sound decisions before he drinks and gets into a car. When you are an responsible adult you make plans before you have the first drink or you don''t drink at all. Killing yourself, your child or someone else can''t be undone. "I''m sorry" after the fact doesn''t undo the damage. He didn''t just make a mistake he used poor judgement from the first sip. I wouldn''t want to be "lead" by someone like that.
- Reply to this comment
- They can make laws, they just can''t seem to follow them. Sad.
- Reply to this comment
- we the people can STOP all in CONGRESS and the WHITEHOUSE with something so easy, and we would not have to fire a shot at anyone to have this REVOLUTION, THATS RIGHT A REVOLUTION IS WHAT IS NEEDED TO STOP THEM ALL IN THEIR TRACKS.
HOW. WE THE PEOPLE DONT WORK OR DO ANYTHING FOR A FEW WEEKS, SEE HOW FAST THEY START DOING SOMETHING FOR AMERICANS, WHEN NO MONEY IS GOING ONTO THE GOVERNEMNT FOR A FEW WEEKS, SEE NO FOOD BEING DRIVEN TO STORES, THIS IS THE ONLY WAY WE AS AMERICANS CAN TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK.. SO AMERICANS BETTER WAKE UP AND LETS START A COMPLETE BOY-COTT OF WORK..THIS WILL ONLY WORK IF ALL DO IT.
for-america@hotmail.com - Reply to this comment
- I don''t care one way or another what the man''s party affiliation is, or what he does for a living. He should not be driving drunk. I do find it more amusing when "godly" people fall, primarily because of their preachy nature. Element51: Sorry you had to go through that with your 16 year old.
- Reply to this comment
- dowjones20k: said
but I think I would rather go hunting with *** Cheney .......
than to go for a drink/car ride with Teddy Kennedy.
Are you crazy??? or just a republican????? - Reply to this comment
- I''m surprised more people don''t get busted for DUI. Get into accidents that kill or maim other people.
How many people designate a driver when they go to a bar/nightclub with their friends?
If you drive to a bar by yourself, you''re not going to get a cab & leave your car on the street all night in the city. You''re going to take a chance & drive home. After you have had more than a few, it won''t even enter your mind that you shouldn''t be driving. - Reply to this comment
- Semper FI Skyk
- Reply to this comment
- I guess since you have no belief in anything anything you think is okay is okay.
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Posted by alanrobisch2 at 09:20 AM : May 04, 2008
+ report abuse
THAT is NOT what he said and YOU know it! God where do you freaks come from?? These Snake Oil Salesmen go out pander to high heaven on "Family Values" and you poor people just keep drinking the Kool Aid. It''s beyond disgusting. NO politician has EVER been able to give ANYONE "Moral''s".... - Reply to this comment
- Posted by nutsie11 at 08:11 AM : May 04, 2008
Nutsie....
Ya forgot blowyobs in the men''s room!!! ROFLMFAO!!! F*uck the GOP!
But, but, but the surge is working. - Reply to this comment
- Did he drive over a bridge, dump his car in the water and leave a young girl to die??? Was he driving DUI in DC at 3AM and crash into some cement blocks? Interesting how his party is mentioned in the headline yet when herr spitzer got busted his party wasn''t mentioned at all.
Tell you libs what, when ole drunken teddy resigns then this guy should resign. - Reply to this comment
- Go face a mirror and preach to yourself.
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Posted by ontheleft at 01:00 AM : May 04, 2008
I guess since you have no belief in anything anything you think is okay is okay. - Reply to this comment
- Surely, he will resign. Surely, the congressman''s district will not forgive him and pressure him to resign as should his political supporters and party.
- Reply to this comment
- Luckily, he had better sense than to go out drinking with Shotgun Dickkk.....we all know how that turns out.....
Posted by veteran72 at 09:47 PM : May 03, 2008
HAHAHA pretty funny ...
but I think I would rather go hunting with *** Cheney .......
than to go for a drink/car ride with Teddy Kennedy. - Reply to this comment
- Send Vito a Sicilian message: a fish wrapped in newspaper.
- Reply to this comment
- "I hope you feel good about yourself. You sound like an arrogant bigot"
Posted by alanrobisch2 at 09:56 PM
Go face a mirror and preach to yourself. - Reply to this comment
- ===I hope you feel good about yourself. You sound like an arrogant bigot===
Posted by alanrobisch2
By the way, I''ve never put people''s lives at risk because of my own selfishness. So, yes, I do feel good about myself. And drunk driving is the ultimate act of selfishness and arrogance. That makes me a million times better than Mr. Fossella. - Reply to this comment
- ===I hope you feel good about yourself. You sound like an arrogant bigot===
Posted by alanrobisch2
No, just someone who believes in just rewards. But, of course we all know how understanding and tolerant that christian conservatives are. They just love everybody, don''t they? It''s not intolerant to be intolerant of those who are intolerant. Get it? - Reply to this comment
- Because christian conservatives are the most arrogant, self-righteous among us and it is human nature to want to take delight in the downfall of these people who are quick to judge others, yet demand understanding and forgiveness for themselves.
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Posted by Rafterman1 at 08:33 PM : May 03, 2008
+ report abuse
I hope you feel good about yourself. You sound like an arrogant bigot - Reply to this comment
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