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Party Photographs Put a Congressman on the Defensive (NY)
NY Times ^ | April 29, 2006 | RAYMOND HERNANDEZ

Posted on 04/29/2006 11:31:00 AM PDT by neverdem

WASHINGTON, April 28 — A congressman from upstate New York found himself on the defensive Friday over a series of photographs that surfaced showing him at a college fraternity party a week earlier.

Democrats seized on the photographs in an attempt to embarrass the congressman, John E. Sweeney, a Republican from the Albany region who attended a party on April 21 at the Alpha Delta Phi house at Union College in Schenectady, N.Y.

His visit was initially reported by the Union College student newspaper, the Concordiensis, which said that witnesses described the congressman as being "inquisitive and engaging" and "acting openly intoxicated."

Melissa Carlson, a spokeswoman for Mr. Sweeney, said that the congressman had attended a wake earlier in the day and then had dinner near the campus at a restaurant, where he had a glass of wine.

Ms. Carlson said that Mr. Sweeney then went over to the campus, where he "spoke to the kids, took pictures and enjoyed the dialogue" for about 20 or 30 minutes before leaving.

But Democrats took the opportunity to ridicule Mr. Sweeney, who faces a stronger-than-expected re-election challenge this year, though he won re-election in 2004 with 66 percent of the vote.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: District of Columbia; US: New York
KEYWORDS: 109th; democraticparty; duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuude; fitshaced; fratparty; iloveyouman; johnesweeney; mmmmmmmmmmbeer; republicanparty; sweeney
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To: neverdem

>> But Democrats took the opportunity to ridicule Mr. Sweeney, <<

NY Times: "And being their soap-fetchers, we joined in, even though there's no news here."

So much for "that's fit to print." Can you imagine if they ran stories like this everytime a KENNEDY got drunk?


41 posted on 04/29/2006 1:40:17 PM PDT by dangus
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To: dangus

Sweeney can't blow his nose without it being headline news in our local paper. A visit to Kos or Democrats.com will tell you all you need to know about the campaign to create dirt on Sweeney in order to push Gillibrand to the head of the class.


42 posted on 04/29/2006 1:57:22 PM PDT by sageb1 (This is the Final Crusade. There are only 2 sides. Pick one.)
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To: neverdem
Something to consider: the photo in post #1 shows the Congressman with his eyes closed. Given that it was a flash shot and that the average person blinks their eyes every four seconds, it -could- be that the camera simply caught him while he was blinking.... and not that he was walking around with his eyes closed looking s...faced.

Pictures can be misleading.
43 posted on 04/29/2006 2:12:52 PM PDT by Patriot Son (We should limit government to only those powers granted it by the Constitution.)
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To: Raycpa

...and the police believed that story? lol


44 posted on 04/29/2006 2:56:56 PM PDT by RetSignman (( HELP...I'm trapped between these curved things))
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To: onevoter

No big deal. Frat Party? He's doing research on colleges.


45 posted on 04/29/2006 3:00:05 PM PDT by Loud Mime (The Answer: Turn Illegal immigrants into gasoline!)
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To: everyone

The Rats are within an inch of taking back the House, and could also win the Senate. They will be more vicious than ever this year. Republicans must be ultra-vigilant. No frat parties, no matter what.


46 posted on 04/29/2006 3:02:06 PM PDT by California Patriot ("That's not Charlie the Tuna out there. It's Jaws.")
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To: neverdem

47 posted on 04/30/2006 9:00:28 AM PDT by Darth Republican
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To: sageb1

...and I think it's also interesting to note: The media claims to find moderates so vital to Washington D.C. whenever a Republican "extremist" wins an election. Sweeney is the picture-perfect image of a moderate, and yet the media hates him with unleashed passion. Why? Because he's in a "purple" district.

Lesson: The media only likes moderate Republicans in districts where they could never elect a Democrat-in-name. Given the choice between a liberal Republican and an extremist Democrat, well,... then suddenly "extremism" becomes "principle."

Other Mainstream Media definitions:

Moderate (R): A liberal Republican in a safe district.
Unindicted co-conspirator (R): A liberal Republican in a battleground district who hasn't switched parties yet.
Moderate (D): A liberal who lies well enough to conceal the fact that he was routing for the terrorists.
Extremist (R): A conservative elected to public office.
Extremist (D): A conservative elected to public office in another country.
Right-wing (Domestic): A political ideology of someone who rejects a state-controlled economy, global dominance of secularist European values, and a totalitarian court system.
Right-wing (International): A pollitica ideology of someone seeking to main a state-controlled economy, global dominance of secularist European values, and a totalitarian court system.
Fanatic ideologue(R): Continuing to hold a position, despite a vocal opposition.
Leadership (D): Despising the will of the majority by obeying the demands of the media overlords.
Pandering (R): Keeping campaign promises.
Populism (D): Making pie-in-the-sky promises beyond the government's ability to affect change.
Civil Rights: Something illegal that liberals want to do, but conservatives don't.
Mortal threat to society: Something legal that conservatives want to do, but liberals don't.
Moral fundamentalism (R): The belief that there are certain things which should not be permitted in a society which values life: state-sanctioned murder of the young, old, or sick, the violent oppression of women, atheist and homosexual indoctrination, and genocide.
Multiculturalism (D): The belief that there are certain things which should be permitted in a society which civil rights: state-sanctioned murder of the young, old, or sick, the violent oppression of women, atheism and homosexual indoctrination, and genocide.
Genocide (D): The slaughtering of innocent socialists or lesbians by a nation whom Republicans have not declared war on.
Multiculturalism (D): The slaughtering of innocent reformers, Christians, or women by a nation whom Democrats have not declared war on.


48 posted on 04/30/2006 9:44:44 AM PDT by dangus
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To: Yo-Yo
I Love that commercial
49 posted on 04/30/2006 10:05:48 AM PDT by cmsgop ( I love Scotch. .......Scotchy, Scotch, Scotch)
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To: Acts 2:38
I agree. Leave it to the NYSlimes to turn a "campaign stop" into BIG news. I really couldn't care if the Congressman had a few too many. My God, we look at Ted Kennedy on the Senate floor, literally, in that same condition, daily!
50 posted on 04/30/2006 12:17:02 PM PDT by singfreedom ("Victory at all costs,.......for without victory there is no survival."--Churchill--that's "Winston")
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To: neverdem

That picture wasn't taken at any frat party. It was taken at a bar, owned by a former City Council candidate from last year's election. The guys are longtime friends. The owner of the bar, Paul Lichorat, also happens to be a friend of mine. Paulie is the guy who's face is partially obstructed by the hairball's baseball cap.

The bar, called 'Gepetto's', is right across the street from Union College, hence the presence of all the college kids. Sweeney had one glass of wine that he did not even finish, according to Paul's wife.

This whole article and whatever else is made of this stupidity is a media drive by.


51 posted on 04/30/2006 8:02:31 PM PDT by perfect_rovian_storm
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To: perfect_rovian_storm; wardaddy; Joe Brower; Cannoneer No. 4; Criminal Number 18F; ...
That picture wasn't taken at any frat party. It was taken at a bar, owned by a former City Council candidate from last year's election. The guys are longtime friends. The owner of the bar, Paul Lichorat, also happens to be a friend of mine. Paulie is the guy who's face is partially obstructed by the hairball's baseball cap.

The bar, called 'Gepetto's', is right across the street from Union College, hence the presence of all the college kids. Sweeney had one glass of wine that he did not even finish, according to Paul's wife.

This whole article and whatever else is made of this stupidity is a media drive by.

Thanks for the update. Will the NY Times issue a retraction?

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52 posted on 04/30/2006 8:44:31 PM PDT by neverdem (May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows that you're dead.)
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To: neverdem
"What is a 50-year-old congressman doing at a frat party at 1 in the morning, cavorting with students 30 years his junior? Teaching them how a bill becomes a law?"

Since when is a congresman required to be a suffed shirt?

53 posted on 04/30/2006 9:11:59 PM PDT by curiosity
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To: perfect_rovian_storm
The ironic thing is, going to a frat party would probably help him. Show's he's not stuffy and not above hanging out with college kids. I can't see why it would hurt him, anyway.
54 posted on 04/30/2006 9:14:33 PM PDT by curiosity
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To: neverdem
so what, he's trying to relax and have a good time.

where are the pics of the stain maker snorting coke? they won't print those.
55 posted on 04/30/2006 9:20:54 PM PDT by Coleus (I Support Research using the Ethical, Effective and Moral use of stem cells: non-embryonic)
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To: neverdem
Hey - so the NY Slimes reports on this stupid little incident.

When Demorats Silver and his henchmen are raping and pillaging NY and its taxpayers the Slimes makes not a squeak of disapproval!

The whole state disgusts...both parties stink but the dems stink of corruption and decay while the Republicans stink of stupidity and fear.
56 posted on 04/30/2006 9:26:39 PM PDT by eleni121 ('Thou hast conquered, O Galilean!' (Julian the Apostate))
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To: neverdem
Will the NY Times issue a retraction?

If they do, it will be next year on page A-32.

57 posted on 05/01/2006 2:37:24 AM PDT by Born Conservative (Chronic Positivity - http://jsher.livejournal.com/)
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To: Patriot Son
Pictures can be misleading.

No kidding you should see some of the beauties I have from the last family reunion.

58 posted on 05/01/2006 2:44:29 AM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (Ditch the 1967 Outer Space Treaty! I want my own space bar and grill (pink bow))
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To: neverdem; fieldmarshaldj; AuH2ORepublican; Kuksool; HitmanLV; new yorker 77; NewYorker; ...

To state the obvious, it is absurd for a 50 y/o Congressman to be conducting himself this way. And he even let himself get caught on camera!

I fear that he's put his reelection in jeopardy. Brilliant.


59 posted on 05/01/2006 9:20:48 AM PDT by Clintonfatigued (Bob Taft for Impeachment)
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To: shelterguy
Does the hairy neandrathal knuckle dragger have a picture of a guy taking a hit on his shirt?

Yes.

60 posted on 05/01/2006 9:34:24 AM PDT by GraniteStateConservative (...He had committed no crime against America so I did not bring him here...-- Worst.President.Ever.)
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