Cocaine bust derails fledgling GOP congressman

[tosh]

http://www.walb.com/story/24051643/cocaine-bust-derails-fledgling-gop-congressman

Posted: Nov 23, 2013 11:24 AM EST Updated: Nov 23, 2013 11:56 AM EST

By MICHAEL J. MISHAK
Associated Press

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) - From the outset, U.S. Rep. Trey Radel - a brash and digitally savvy darling of the political right - was determined to make a name for himself. And so he has.

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Radel says he has struggled with drug and alcohol abuse "off and on for years." Mike Adams, Radel's first producer on the "Daybreak" morning show, said the two would often talk about cocaine and Radel's backpacking trips through Colombia.

"I would mention, 'How was the stuff?'" said Adams, who acknowledged his own struggles with addiction. "And he would say, 'Oh my God, it was phenomenal. Nothing like you get here.'"

By then, Radel was fully ensconced in the tea party movement, emceeing rallies and befriending Republican politicians, including the district's congressman, Connie Mack IV. When Mack called him to say he would be leaving the House and running for U.S. Senate, Radel launched his first political campaign.

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Long story delving deeper into Radel than anything I've seen yet. It was hard to chose 4 'graphs to post.

Worth a read!