So if you’re planning on running for re-election to Congress in November, is it really a good idea to get a snootfull, get into a car and drive over to see your 3-year-old illegitimate daughter? Apparently the total lack of prudence of such a course of action never occurred to Rep. Vito J. Fonsella, R-N.Y.

The five-term congressman from Staten Island was arrested for drunk driving May 1 in Alexandria, Va. He admitted that he was on his way to see his daughter by Laura Fay, a former Air Force officer. Fonsella has three children with his wife, Mary Pat.

Fonsella was already considered a weak candidate in the November elections, and his imbibing and driving, and his wayward willy now make it almost certain that the Dems are going to be all over his seat like marinara on linguine:

“This is a race that we’ve been targeting for a long time, and we believe that it’s a district that is certainly winnable,” said Carrie James, a spokeswoman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “We’re ready for an election now, or we’ll be ready in November.”

Of course, the Republicans, who are used to this kind of bad behavior, are playing it soft and sympathetic:

The chairman of the House GOP’s campaign organization, Tom Cole of Oklahoma, said Republican leaders are giving Fossella time to deal with his family problems before broaching the topic of his political future.

But Cole said the party will be ready to defend Fossella’s seat if he resigns or decides not to seek re-election this fall.

“We’re not going to be caught flat-­footed,” Cole said. “We think we can win in a special election. If he were to choose to vacate, there would be adequate candidates on both sides.”

For his part, Fonsella is suitably contrite:

“My personal failings and imperfections have caused enormous pain to the people I love, and I am truly sorry,” Fossella said in his statement. “While I understand that there will be many questions, including those about my political future, making any political decisions right now are furthest from my mind.’’

Making wise political decisions was certainly far from his mind when he got tanked up and drove off to see his bastard daughter. It was a typical Republican morality two-fer. At least he wasn’t wearing a dress and makeup.