[Aevery_Freeman]

He first came to my attention because I taught his kids.

You can discern a great deal about a man by looking at his family.

His kids were good without being too good, confident but not cocky - obviously well-raised.

In addition, his boys are all Kennedy/Romney handsome and his daughter was Homecoming Queen.

I see a national stage in their future.

[Randall Burns]

Tom Emmer's son has followed in his father's footsteps around alcohol related offenses. These also involve posting of photos that frankly look like possible indictions of offenses towards a young woman that may have been under age of consent. I am sure Emmer's son was very good at impression management. Frankly, I would NOT want this young man dating my daughter-and I have had stern conversations with young people over far less marked offenses

Emmer's DWI record suggests a record of problem drinking. I would encourage him to publicly post doctor supervised ETG hair tests that would measure his average level of alcohol consumption and support his claim he is no longer a problem drinker or alcoholic-and is fit for office. The stresses of serving in congress will likely make any underlying problem worse.

I am personally tired of leaders like Ted Kennedy setting a bad example for the public by their own habits. The position of Congressional Representative carries with it a degree of immunity from arrest. However with that privilege there should come responsibility. Exempting those in power from rules the rest of us live by has serious problems-and is frankly unamerican.

As it stands now Emmer has called for drug testing of all welfare recipients-but his statements on his own addiction issues are guarded and contradictory. This hurt him in his race for governor-against an opponent that seemed candid about his own battles with alcoholism. I also have reservations around some of Emmer's financial practices.