MARK RICHARDSON'S FATE

Rep. Mark Richardson's arrest for drunk driving in Arkansas last month has generated considerable comment in Jefferson City. Debate seems much less subdued in the rest of the state.

The Poplar Bluff legislator has a bright political career ahead of him. This incident shouldn't derail that, especially if prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines adversely affected his driving that night. The public should assume him innocent until proven guilty. That is the premise of the American justice system. He was right to remain as House Republican Leader.

Missourians have found Richardson an honest, forthright legislator. That fact alone should encourage people to keep an open mind. He was on a family outing. His wife was following in another car. Surely she would not have let their 2-year-old ride with her husband if she felt he were drunk.

But Richardson did commit a political blunder. The day of his arrest, he should have gone on the offensive, proclaiming his apologies and explanations for the incident. Instead, an entire month lapsed before it was discovered by the media.

An apology mailed to fellow Republicans a few days after his arrest became public was sincere enough. But his response became tainted by the fact that he was silent for a month. And it was compared to House Speaker Bob Griffin's drunk driving arrest in January. Griffin pled guilty and lost his driver's license for 90 days.

Those who serve the public find themselves in the limelight. But it can be a two-edged sword. With the publicity brings additional scrutiny -- a reason that many people shy away from public office in the first place. Most people have done something that they wouldn't want reported in the newspaper. Politicians aren't perfect, but they should be honest about their mistakes.