John Boehner's Crying: Is He Drinking Too Much?

[Donnachaidh]

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/12/15/john-boehners-crying-is-he-drinking-too-much/


Incoming House Speaker John Boehner's recent interview on "60 Minutes" with Lesley Stahl, where he once again cried publicly, has created a minor controversy among pundits, with observers trying to figure out the cause of his unusual behavior.

Is it depression? Or is Boehner simply in touch with his emotions? Does he wear his heart on his sleeve, or does he cry on a dime because he has a tender spot for all things American?
While it's impossible to know, some are beginning to speculate that Boehner's penchant for turning on the waterworks might have some connection to his consumption of wine. Liberal MSNBC host Ed Shultz, half-jokingly, called Boehner a "cheap drunk" the other day, Capitol Hill aides of both parties are wondering, and there's even a web page devoted to it.
So is drinking the issue -- and why might a person struggling with drinking be more prone to weeping in public?
Speaking generally, Dr. Robert DuPont, who served as the second White House drug czar and was the first director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, tells me that "alcohol reduces inhibitions. Whatever emotion you have, you're more likely to express it ." DuPont added that alcohol reduces the functioning of the frontal lobes, and "the frontal lobes have to do with judgment, which is why people do impulsive behavior."

Alcohol also "brings out underlying emotions," explains Dr. Michael Fingerhood, an associate professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University. "It generally is unmasking what is inside them."
As is to be expected, Republican aides and lobbyists are not anxious to publicly discuss whether the incoming House speaker might have a drinking problem. And Boehner's staff declined to discuss the crying question at all. For his part, though, Boehner -- who was described in one profile as "a heavy-smoking, hard-drinking former linebacker" -- has made no secret of his affection for merlot, and those familiar with Capitol Hill know he frequents The Capitol Hill Club, as well as a favorite Italian restaurant on Capitol Hill, where he is frequently spotted sipping vino.

More at the link ---

[HopeHoops]

1. Not drinking enough. He's a fucking orange wimp.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRp8GrXffhA

Can anybody modify John Candy's voice to say "He's a fucking orange wimp"?

[ladjf]

2. Perhaps his subconscious inner "good" is weeping from the shame

that he has from years of carrying out Republican strategy to wreck America.

[gateley]

3. I can only speak for myself, but when I was a weepy boozer, it was all about me, me, me. nt

[Sal Minella]

11. Same here. I didn't have the strength or scope then to care about

anyone else.

One cartoon had him crying at the word "puppies" -- but I think he would cry over his own puppy, maybe, but not anyone else's.

I think he's such a mess that he has no perception beyond things that directly affect him.

[BrklynLiberal]

4. It might appear that the inner instability is coming closer to the surface..

AFAIAC, any and all repukes are desperately in need of psychiatric help.

[Bandit]

5. He sure sounded smashed in the last clip I saw.

I think he is usually under the influence...

[supernova]

6. In vino veritas

[Altoid_Cyclist]

7. Maybe he's drinking scotch and water.

The beautiful water around here mixed with scotch would explain his color and his behavior.





Orange you sick of this little SOB?

[Toucano]

8. Like Rachel said recently, don't let the tears distract you from the policies.

He's well past 21 years of age, so his drinking isn't an issue either.

[Cleita]

9. For someone who trawls bars during the evening

every day, I would say it's the alcohol. Many alkies who are open about some of their drinking also drink in secret which they do hide. I would venture the opinion that he has a "heart starter" for breakfast, whisky or brandy in his coffee and probably just enough beer or wine at lunch to keep the glow going through the day before he hits the bars at night. I'm an ex-bartender and pretty much can bank on this as the problem. Of course even functioning alkies, like Boehner will be more enhanced in their emotional responses than they would be sober. Let's hope he doesn't lose his temper while in the powerful position of Speaker of the House. The crying is annoying. A bad tempered response to a policy could be devastating.

[callous taoboy]

10. Orange man? Blue man? Which is it?

:shrug:

[TheCowsCameHome]

12. No, he needs more. And increase those cancer-sticks, too.

The sooner he's gone, the better.