Washington (CNN) – A staffer for former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty's presidential exploratory committee in Iowa was suspended Wednesday after being arrested on charges of public intoxication and trespassing.
Des Moines television station and CNN affiliate KCCI reported that Benjamin Foster was arrested around 3 a.m. on Wednesday, when an Ankeny family awoke to find him trying to get into the back door of their home and called the police.
Foster was hired by Pawlenty's political action committee in late 2010, making him the first full-time staffer for any potential campaign on the ground in Iowa. The state will hold the first contest of the 2012 Republican nomination fight early next year.
"Governor Pawlenty is extremely disappointed in Ben's actions and his behavior does not meet the standards he expects of his employees," said Eric Woolson, an adviser to Pawlenty's exploratory committee. "Therefore, the committee is placing Ben on a two-week unpaid suspension and expects him to bear the legal consequences for his action."
In a statement issued through a Pawlenty spokesman, Foster acknowledged making "a very serious mistake."
"I take full responsibility for my actions," Foster said in the statement. "I want to apologize to all affected by my poor judgment. I especially apologize to the people who were disturbed during the incident and the arresting officers. I give my word that it will never happen again."
From CNN Politics
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His busy political job made him do it...oh wait that's what Newt would say.
"Family Values" at it again.
Peace
Everybody knows that morals and ethics apply to other people, not republicans! Just ask Newt Gingrich.
He was canvasing for voters.
Pretty woefull when you staff gets this kind of a start before you even enter the race.
Just goes to show- Iowans need more guns.
"Therefore, the committee is placing Ben on a two-week unpaid suspension and expects him to bear the legal consequences for his action."
Well, that ought to take care of the problem in no time flat. Especially should *Ben* ever be convicted of anything, say, really criminal. Being too drunk to know the house you're trying to break into isn't really your home at all, apparently isn't a criminal enough offense for Pawlenty to get too serious over.
Unfortunate. Conservatives will hold this against Pawlenty more so than Liberals would.
Hey, here's the worst case scenario. The guy went out and had too much to drink. After closing hours he got himself invided to someone's house, and probably got thrown out of said someone's house. He wanted back inside, because no doubt it was cold outside, and began banging. They then called the cops acting like he was complete stranger. Guy apolozies, case closed. Victims remain anonymous as they well probably should be.
End of story. But, ......
Sounds like the guy needs to get to an AA meeting pronto!
The "family values" that we have learned to expect from the Republican Taliban! But don't worry...God has already forgiven him, so all is as it was!
Just another example of a party drunk with and for one thing! Power with no limits!
WHAT? I'm shocked, shocked that the Democrats could have conspired to place this man on Pawlenty's staff, gotten him drunk and arranged for this house and family to be there to confuse him! This requires a Congressional investigation, at least!
Wait, you mean, he actually worked for Pawlenty? Well, I'm sure that when he performs an act of public contrition, he can go on the Wacko-speaker circuit as a warmup act for Bristol Palin.
Too much!!!
How drunk do you have to be to comit Breaking and Entering into the WRONG HOUSE?!!
Sounds like a Law and Order episode!
Once again, the BEST the GOP has to offer on full display. America you be the judge, and don't make the same mistake you did November 2010.
What's funny is watching the campaigns of every Republican Presidential wannabe run off the rails even before they've declared their candidacy.
With all their holier than thou talks look who we have in GOP. Can we trust pawlenty?
Oh, well there you go, he gave his word! That's all that is required for Republicans 'cause god always forgives them, right? I'd be sitting in jail for attempted burglary if I tried the same stunt.
Oops! Pawlenty's all ready tripping!
Thank God this hack is no longer my governor, and may no other American be drunk enough to put him in public office again (so help us God)!!
Well, Pawlenty has established an exploratory committee,his staff member was just exploring... in the middle of the night....drunk. Too, too funny.
Typical Republican family values type of guy. What else do you expect from Republicans? And after his two weeks of suspension he'll be right back on the job as if nothing happened.
Score another one for the "family values" set...
Pawlenty is from neighboring Minnesota, so he has to win big in Iowa, and this is not a good start!
I didn't think Pawlenty had any standards. This is enough to send him packing. Just stay away from Minnesota.
This is too funny to comment on. The only thing I could say is the Republicans sure know how to party. Spending their money in a strip club and now breaking and entering while drunk. I'm in the wrong political party.
Alcohol makes people do stupid things. Very stupid. Not Tim's fault but doesn't exactly show good management skills to have paid staff members sneaking around at 3 am harassing a homeowner. He is lucky he didn't get shot for trespassing on private property at such a late hour.
Thank God this family didn't shoot first and ask questions later, Foster is one lucky guy. I'm not a Republican but this has nothing to do with Pawlenty, it's between Foster and law enforcement and he like many millions of Americans have been allowed to return to work.