See my post #59. I agree with most of what you said. I didn't take the "inebriation" as anything related to W's past. And still don't. I think she was saying that he and his admin are inebriated with their point of view -- I totally disagree with her comments, but I don't find them an attack on his past.
mission euphoria
mission preoccupation
mission obsession
mission delusion
mission fantasy
I wrote those without a Thesaurus, and I am not a professional writer.
Sorry, I think she used it deliberately and as a subtle stab. If I were writing a column, I would re-read it and realize that word shouldn't be used. (It's awkward, anyway."Euphoria" is more what she was talking about, is a more common useage in the context, and works better both in usage and sound.)
She does not get a pass from me on this. I also don't understand why her editor allowed it to pass...unless she really doesn't have an editor.