Dennis McDonald, as a fellow lawyer, I suggest you let the court of public opinion make its own judgment about Congressman Rehberg's character and decision-making abilities rather than resort to the barnyard tactic of mudslinging. With eight months to go before the state's primary, one would think you would be more concerned about differentiating yourself from the other two Democratic contenders, Tyler Gernant and Melinda Gopher, neither of whom seem to find the Flathead boating accident a worthwhile topic of discussion in their bids for Montana's sole U.S. congressional seat.

Having run for elected office myself, I am well aware of the reality that issues that should matter in a campaign tend to sometimes get overshadowed by issues that are of little substance to the office being contested. Too often, negative campaigning is rewarded with publicity while attempts at straight talk are seen as insincere and overlooked by the press. That said, I cannot imagine what could have possibly motivated your failed attempt at making political hay out of an event that can only be described as a tragic accident.

There are consequences that come with making unfounded allegations about another person; a realization I came to not during the practice of law, but during the course of my upbringing in Montana. Considering the manner in which you publicly made such allegations known, however, I can only presume you have already deemed such actions morally acceptable.

Refocus your campaign efforts on issues of relevance to the people of Montana. We can all agree that what is needed most is a healthy political dialogue, not a malicious diatribe. Montanans want a statesman, not a mudslinger.

Tim Fox

6 Arrowhead Lane