Vito Fossella- Drunk or Congressman?

It always comes as a blow when public figures fall from the man made thrones they are forced to live upon. Ever watched and ever scrutinized, actors, politicians, and even models embark upon a harsh journey when they agree to take the plunge of a rewarding but sometimes painful life. Tuesday, New York Representative Vito Fossella announced that he would not seek re-election because of "personal mistakes." What he meant to say was, I got caught in my affair, have a daughter outside of marriage, and managed to be charged for a DWI in Virginia with an alcohol level two times above the limit. NY Daily News shows his alcohol level was .17 and his trial can give him up to 5 days in jail. Not smart when all eyes are on you.

He met Laura Fay when she was an Air Force officer working for Congress and began an affair, forgetting that he had a wife of 18 years and three children waiting for him at home. When Fossella was pulled over for a DWI on May 1 he told police he was speeding to meet his sick daughter, making them question who the girl might be. It didn't take long for him to crack under pressure in jail though. The Chicago Tribune shows him saying, "I have had a relationship with Laura Fay, with whom I have a 3-year-old daughter," in a quick and concise effort to clear effort to clear things up and send himself home. It was Fay, a former Air Force lieutenant colonel and Congress liaison, who got him out of jail after the arrest.

He stated on his House of Representatives website that this decision between work and family had not been easy. "Balanced between his dedication to service to our great nation and the need to heal the wounds that I have caused to my wife and family," he chose his family, probably saving his marriage and his career, despite the numerous politicians who tried to convince him to continue. He wrote, "I am touched by the outpouring of support and encouragement I have received from so many people" on his website, honored that despite his transgressions people from across the nation were standing by his side.

Fossella was a five-term Republican, serving on Congress since 1997, and representing Staten Island and part of Brooklyn. He is also the only Republican member of Congress from New York City. After their relationship was exposed, he said he had no immediate plans to resign, but public speculation eventually wore him down. He has pledged to stay through the end of his current term which goes until Jan. 3, but he will not enter the next election as previously planned. Many consider the act an instant blow to his career because of his removal from mayor candidacy. His re-election in 2006 had already been tough, exciting Democrats, and even worse throughout the year because he had had little support from his own party to remain in office. Either way, his time is up.