September 15, 2007
Posted: 05:45 PM ET

Senator Sam Brownback, R-Kansas

AMES, Iowa (CNN) — After a stop at a football tailgate party with college Republicans Saturday, presidential candidate Sam Brownback jokingly said to law enforcement officials that driving under the influence charges, or DUI's, translated to a "lot of business" for him.

"I lived in Manhattan, Kansas, and after the (University of Kansas/Kansas State) game there would generally be a lot of DUI's," the Kansas senator said.

"I was a practicing lawyer there, and it's kind of like on Monday morning that's a lot of business," he said laughing.

When asked to elaborate, Brownback told CNN, "I was just reflecting that when you get these big in-state rivalries a lot of people drink too much alcohol, and then there's a lot of DUI's."

Brownback made the comments in Ames, Iowa, before the University of Iowa/Iowa State football game. He stopped to speak to the Iowa College Republican Federation's tailgate party.

– CNN Iowa Producer Chris Welch

Filed under: Race to '08 • Sam Brownback


Ben, Providence RI   September 18th, 2007 6:44 pm ET

DUIs also brought a lot of pain and sadness to the people whose loved ones were killed in those types of accidents. You look one of them in the eye before you say something like that, Sam Brownback.

Dan Christensen, Council Bluffs, IA   September 17th, 2007 1:25 pm ET

I find it abhorrent that any presidential candidate would take glory from the fact that they profited from one of the greatest social ills of our current society. As president I am sure that this candidate would try to figure out a way to profit from other ills and misfortunes that seem to be a part of our world experience. Maybe he should have stayed in KS "chasing ambulances" instead of putting his nauseating views on record for the world to see!

Terry, El Paso, TX   September 17th, 2007 7:43 am ET

Let us not be totally silly in our comments. Every lawyer profits from crime, either by prosecuting or defending. My lawyer profited from my recent crime (running a red light), and lawyers have probably profited from your crimes too.

Alcohol addicts cause more deaths than anyone but tobacco addicts. Many more people die from the demon drink than from terrorism. If we spent a trillion or so dollars on the causes of death listed below, there would be a lot fewer of them. We would save a lot on lawyers too.

Tobacco 435,000
Alcohol Consumption 85,000
Prescription Drugs 32,000
Non-prescription Drugs 7,600
Poor Diet/No Exercise 365,000
Sexual Behaviors 20,000
Poison/Toxic Agents 55,000
Gun-related incidents 29,000
Traffic Accidents 26,347
Infection 75,000
Suicide 30,622
Homicide 20,308
Non-RX Marijuana 0
Other Illegal Drugs 17,000

HAWK,TEXAS   September 16th, 2007 6:10 pm ET

TYPICAL REPUBLICAN BRAGGING ABOUT MAKING MONEY AT SOME ONE ELSES EXSPENCE. ROTTEN SLUG.

Lee Scott Virginia Beach VA   September 16th, 2007 4:12 pm ET

Why is this news? So what!!

Lee, Mays Landing NJ   September 16th, 2007 1:34 pm ET

If I were a republican, I'd be driven to drink.
If one were gay and a republican, you might be driven to the closet or the restroom stalls.
Being repressed and fighting progressivism in human rights, in envionmental affairs, even in just plain old modern science and knowledge, is not healthy.

Dale Fitzpatrick, Hamilton, MA   September 16th, 2007 1:32 pm ET

Social conservative presidential candidates - A Comparison of prior professions:

Brownback, as a lawyer, profited off alcohol abuse,

Mike Huckabee, as a pastor, counseled families who were devastated by alcohol abuse.

It's time for the senator to hang it up.

Jenn   September 16th, 2007 12:59 pm ET

Actually Sam Brownback is not a "born-again" Christian, he is a Catholic.Sam needs to realize that his holier than thou approach has people running from him in droves. No way this guy would ever be President.

Sam needs to quit the race and let the real candidates take over…

Tim, Cincinnati, OH   September 16th, 2007 10:47 am ET

Stupid people in East St. Louis tick me off.

Fredrick, East St. Louis, IL   September 16th, 2007 10:26 am ET

Mr. Brownback just got my vote. Anything that ticks off Democrats this much MUST be a good thing (Note: I've voted 3rd party the last 2 elections…NOT a Republican).

Ed,Ellenville,New York   September 16th, 2007 7:57 am ET

Very telling that he considers DUI a rainmaker.Does he have any other wonderful insights into his mental retardation?

Iowan, Des Moines, Iowa   September 16th, 2007 12:03 am ET

That's really kind of disgusting considering at least four individuals who were at that game were killed on their way home. There's no word yet if alcohol played a factor, but it's still a rather poor thing to laugh about.

Cable King Pittsburgh Pa   September 15th, 2007 9:02 pm ET

Some folks drink too much. Others don't think enough.

alan St Louis Mo   September 15th, 2007 8:19 pm ET

Man I have a headack and lost some IQ reading about this bone head republican.

Joe, Quincy, IL   September 15th, 2007 8:18 pm ET

Brown's comments make me sick. Good ol' boy….he's a "born-again" Christian….can't you tell?

don   September 15th, 2007 7:36 pm ET

more like brownfro. check out that picture

Allen, Redlands CA   September 15th, 2007 7:26 pm ET

So, Mr. "I'm-more-Christian-than-you" profited off drunk drivers? He laughed about it bringing in a lot of business? You'd think that this self proclaimed SuperChristian would have actually acted Christlike and maybe offered some of these people a ride home instead of letting them drive drunk. I wonder how many people were killed by these drunk drivers because he was satisfied to just sit back and let the "business" roll in on Monday morning? Brownback is a joke.

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About The Ticker

The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

CNN=Politics Screensaver

CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

Follow us on Twitter

CNN on TwitterGet Ticker updates the moment they appear online via the Web, SMS, or instant messages.
Follow politicalticker

Categories
CNN Comment Policy: CNN encourages you to add a comment to this discussion. You may not post any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. Please note that CNN makes reasonable efforts to review all comments prior to posting and CNN may edit comments for clarity or to keep out questionable or off-topic material. All comments should be relevant to the post and remain respectful of other authors and commenters. By submitting your comment, you hereby give CNN the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your comment(s) and accompanying personal identifying information via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. CNN Privacy Statement.
Home  |  World  |  U.S.  |  Politics  |  Entertainment  |  Health  |  Tech  |  Travel  |  Living  |  Business  |  Sports  |  Time.com
Podcasts  |  Blogs  |  CNN Mobile  |  Preferences |  Email Alerts  |  CNN Radio  |  CNN Shop  |  Site Map
© 2008 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by WordPress.com