I was surprised and disappointed to read that former Republican Montana Secretary of State (and current candidate for the Public Service Commission) Brad Johnson was charged with drunken driving.

Why was I surprised? I would hope that someone in Johnson’s position would be smarter than to get behind the wheel of an automobile after having a few drinks.

Why was I disappointed? Johnson is a good person from what I know of him and he did a pretty good job as Secretary of State. But for him to get behind the wheel and endanger the lives of families traveling on Montana’s roads really disappoints me.

It seems here in Montana even these political folks are just as dumb as the others who get behind the wheel after drinking. While one political party has not cornered the market on the reckless behavior, it appears the GOP has a substantial lead in this category. At their Party convention next month, I suggest the leaders of the Montana GOP tell their members that they are starting to be perceived as the party of drunks.

Mike Dennison of Lee Newspapers broke the story.  Update:  Actually Marnee Banks of KXLH of Helena broke the story on May 26 at 4:09 p.m.  You can read her story HERE.

Dennison reported:

Johnson, 59, said he’s convinced he was not in violation of Montana’s DUI law, although a breathalyzer test showed his blood-alcohol content at 0.24 percent — three times the legal limit for drunken driving.

Johnson also said, “I don’t believe I violated the law, but I still made a mistake.”

Huh? Maybe this is some sort of a legal maneuver by Johnson (saying he was not convinced he broke the law), but to blow a 0.24 pretty much seals the deal that he was driving drunk in the public’s mind.

We know that here in Montana our weak DUI laws can be beaten over and over if one tries and has enough money, but public perception is another thing altogether – especially for a candidate.

Johnson should have just stopped with the apology and left the part out about not breaking the law.

The political junkies are probably wondering about his chances to win the GOP primary for Public Service Commission. I say, who cares. Johnson’s got bigger problems now.

The State of Montana has one less drunk driver on the road, and that is a good thing. Thankfully, nobody was killed or injured by Johnson’s recklessness.