Wollmann Arguing Both Sides of Legislative Sex Scandal

You got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em…

Rep. Mathew Wollmann needs some Kenny Rogers on his iPod. The Madison Republican, who has admitted to improper sexual conduct with multiple Legislative interns during his first two years in office, continues to waver between admitting wrongdoing and weaving excuses:

They were what I would say is long standing friendships that maybe turned into more. I could pick up the phone today and still call these individuals and have a good conversation and really there’s no question in my mind that I didn’t hurt them. No question in mind that I didn’t hurt them….

There are many that would think, “I don’t care what Mathew Wollman does at the age of 24 and 25 with consenting adults. That he could be sitting in a college class with,” but then there are others, that say, “Rules are rules and legislators are held at a different standard,” and I understand both… [Rep. Mathew Wollmann, in Leland Steva, “SD Lawmaker Talks About Having Sexual Relationships with Interns,” KELO-TV, 2017.01.18].

As neither a lawyer nor a public relations consultant, I say, Good grief, Mat! Pick a lane… and stop talking about yourself in the third person. You don’t have a strong enough hand to play moral arbiter and pretend to speak in the voice of “many” who think young legislators get to boink interns but older ones don’t. You win no chips by playing that hand. You admitted you did wrong; now hush.

…know when to walk away, and know when to run.