MARK RICHARDSON MADE A DIFFICULT, BUT HONORABLE, DECISION

It is often difficult to make honorable decisions, but state Rep. Mark Richardson of Poplar Bluff made the right choice by stepping down as the Missouri House of Representatives Republican leader following his arrest for driving drunk.

Shortly after he resigned the leadership post Tuesday, Richardson pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of driving while intoxicated and endangering a child. His 4-year-old daughter was with him when he was stopped by a highway patrolman near Jefferson City last Friday.

The quick decision to give up the top GOP position in the House ended what otherwise could have been another ugly chapter in the never-ending saga of misbehavior among Missouri's elected officials. The names of Judith Moriarty, who was impeached as secretary of state, and Bob Griffin, who quit as House speaker after months of investigation that ultimately led to his indictment, come to mind in all this.

Interestingly, those who applaud Richardson's move to resign as Republican leader and those who continue to criticize him tend to be divided among party lines. Other Republican legislators in Southeast Missourian generally maintained their support for Richardson, based in large part on their friendship with and admiration for a fellow legislator who has shown remarkable leadership skills. But several Democratic legislators took the occasion to voice their criticism, citing in particular the fact that this was his second arrest for driving drunk. The first offense, two years ago in Arkansas, resulted in an acquittal.

The plain fact, however, is that the issue of getting behind the wheel of an automobile and putting yourself and a small child at risk is completely nonpartisan. Richardson's own words attest to his understanding of the seriousness of what he did:

"It is bad judgment to consume any amount of alcohol and to drive. When you do that and your child is in the car with you, it is even worse."

Any number of victims, along with their families and friends, can attest to the validity of Richardson's assessment of himself.

The fact that he has admitted his mistake and has paid the extra penalty of losing a key political leadership position puts Richardson in the category of those who do what is best for everyone, even when the consequences are personally negative.

How much better off all politicians -- and their constituents -- would be if they took the same high road.