Augusta Chronicle Editorial Staff
Ben Harbin says his silence has been a mistake.
But has he broken it?
The Evans Republican and state House Appropriations Committee chairman sent a letter to constituents last week apologizing for what amounts to a media blackout since his May 2007 arrest for DUI in Atlanta.
But just over a month before the July 15 primary, Harbin's letter sheds no light on the matter -- while saying "I felt you were entitled to hear about this directly from me."
Hear what, though? He says in the letter that "you are entitled to straight answers from those who represent you" -- but, again, he offers no answers, straight or otherwise.
"I apologize if the legal process in this case has created the appearance that I have not been completely forthcoming," he writes.
It's more than an appearance. He hasn't been forthcoming for a year. And he still isn't.
"I wish that I had chosen differently from the beginning," he adds.
So do we. But even at this late date, it's not too late. He still has a chance to be forthcoming before the July 15 primary.
The question is, will he?
Harbin says in the letter that "I have always accepted responsibility for my actions, and this issue is no different."
Really? So he always puts off accepting responsibility for over a year?
Ben Harbin is a good guy and a good legislator, and there have been some delays in the case that haven't been his fault. But as the person charged, he has always had the power to accept responsibility -- whatever that's supposed to mean, since he won't say whether he did it or not.
The delay in his taking responsibility has only made the case worse for his reputation. A quick plea last year, and this would be mostly a memory. Now it's central to his re-election campaign, as evidenced by his letter.
He's still got the chance to accept responsibility, get the case cleared up and stand for questions before the July 15 primary. In fact, he owes that to his constituents -- not just a vague mass-mailed apology that doesn't really say anything but tries to leave the impression of a stand-up guy.
His next hearing, last we heard, was scheduled for June 24. If it gets put off until after the July 15 election, his "accepting responsibility" will ring hollow.
