Newsom admits alcohol problem, enters treatment
posted at 8:03 pm on February 6, 2007 by Ian
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Mark Foley and Mel Gibson, eat your hearts out:
Mayor Gavin Newsom dropped the second public bombshell in a week Monday afternoon when he said he has entered an outpatient rehabilitation program to address a second issue that has long been rumored at City Hall — alcohol abuse.
Plagued by questions regarding the role of alcohol in his life since he admitted four days ago to having an affair with a former staffer, Ruby Rippey-Tourk, the wife of longtime aide and former campaign manager Alex Tourk, Newsom said Monday that it was not an excuse for “my personal lapses in judgment.”
He’s admitted to an extramarital affair and to having an alcohol problem all within a week. Call me crazy, but I think it’s time he resigns.
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It’s time for this man to run for President.
Savage on February 6, 2007 at 8:07 PM
….the only thing left is for him to find Jesus and the cycle will be complete.
Alden Pyle on February 6, 2007 at 8:12 PM
You’re crazy. He’s a democrat, he’s allowed.
vcferlita on February 6, 2007 at 8:19 PM
Aaaaaaargh!
I realize that he said it doesn’t excuse his behavior.
Still….it seems like a bait and switch. “I had an affair with my friend’s wife. But, I’m also an alcoholic. So, you should feel bad for me.”
What happened to self-control?
JadeNYU on February 6, 2007 at 8:19 PM
My God. He split with that Guilfoyle babe from Fox. If that doesn’t scream substance abuse, what does?
SailorDave on February 6, 2007 at 8:21 PM
He won’t resign, the moonbats here love him like Clenis and will protect him against the harsh reality that he has messed up SF, and will continue to mess it up. Falimies are abandoning the city like never before, I live in the burbs and I hate having to go in there for anything, bums practically peeing on your shoes and all.
The Libs here love that sort of thing.
bbz123 on February 6, 2007 at 8:21 PM
Maybe Pelosi can fly him to re-hab? Doesn’t hurt to ask does it?
Limerick on February 6, 2007 at 8:23 PM
Gavin seems he is getting ready for a great comeback… Well let’s see what else can he rehab before the election?
d1carter on February 6, 2007 at 8:27 PM
Is there a 12-step program for narcissism?
Oh, no. It would have to be called “Narcissists Anonymous.”
Which, of course, wouldn’t do at all.
SWLiP on February 6, 2007 at 8:31 PM
Resign? Forget it. He’s a Democrat–this enhances his resume. Look what drunken womanizing did for The Swimmer.
Then again, it would likely help further if he drove off the Golden Gate Bridge with a girl in tow.
JammieWearingFool on February 6, 2007 at 8:34 PM
What century are you living in? The man is now officially
presidential material.
Scotsman on February 6, 2007 at 8:34 PM
You’re close Scotsman, IF she would have been a teenager THEN he would be presidential material. I’m afraid he’ll have to set his sights no higher than the Senate. If she dies under mysterious circumstances then maybe he has a shot in 2012.
…Come to think of it there’s this really hot
astronautastro-nut (perhaps Cosmo-nut is better) that will be available after her term in the big house.Mojave Mark on February 6, 2007 at 8:40 PM
This is standard practice for Dems after a scandal. Same thing with the Kennedy family. Every time they’re busted doing something wrong, they come out within a week and admit to an alcohol or drug problem. Then the liberal public says … “awww! Poor thing! Let’s all get behind him with our support!”
Gregor on February 6, 2007 at 8:42 PM
I nominate him as an Honorary Baldwin. Speaking of which:
Have You Seen This Baldwin?
JammieWearingFool on February 6, 2007 at 8:45 PM
We can only be so lucky to have our wife’s cheat on us with someone like Newsome. He rocks!
lorien1973 on February 6, 2007 at 8:47 PM
Palomino. Palomino!
(There. All fixed. He can skip rehab now.)
CyberCipher on February 6, 2007 at 8:48 PM
I wonder what they’ll do with all the empty schools once SF runs all the
familiesbreeders out of town?Guardian on February 6, 2007 at 8:58 PM
If he cops to being a homosexual that was just “staying in the closet” when he was having the affair he’ll be mayor for the next century.
Theworldisnotenough on February 6, 2007 at 9:07 PM
Isn’t that called the “Democratic Party”?
armyvet on February 6, 2007 at 9:14 PM
Hey, wait a second…those are some mighty fine looking mojitos he’s handing out there.
flipflop on February 6, 2007 at 9:14 PM
Hetro sex in San Fransisco? Who’d knew?
So, if I got caught and entered rehab, that’s makes it all better?
That’s it, I’m swiching parties.
Afterall, if a conservative got caught doing… someone… it would be a fate worse than Saddam’s.
Kini on February 6, 2007 at 9:14 PM
Every time one of these morons screws up they put themselves into rehab. Unfortunately, this is no rehabilition program that cures stupidy and irresponsibility.
rplat on February 6, 2007 at 9:14 PM
I was a Democrat, but went through a 12-step program. I’m much better now.
flipflop on February 6, 2007 at 9:15 PM
Oh geez. He is going to wind up on Oprah, all rehabilitated and ready to resume the mayorship and will be applauded. No condemnation for his choices that lead him down this path.
CrimsonFisted on February 6, 2007 at 9:39 PM
If he can just convince America that he was an alcoholic who didn’t swallow, he has a better than average shot at President.
I’ll leave that where it is……..
Emmett J. on February 6, 2007 at 9:47 PM
Dem enters rehab in a phony sympathy ploy in the hope of avoiding political complications…? Well, I’ll be…
Opinionnation on February 6, 2007 at 9:52 PM
I just hope AP posts his appearance when he lands
on The View.
Exit question: will he get a hug from Rosie?
Scotsman on February 6, 2007 at 10:01 PM
Ah, rehab, the modern form of show-penance. You could be a bloody teetotaler and still check in to rehab because it shows the world that you have a “problem” and are trying to “fix it.” Pfaw. The only thing he’s trying to rehab is his reputation, which the good citizens of San Francisco will likely allow because they’re such “forgiving” folks. Besides, they’ve already shown that the institution of marriage means virtually nothing to them (”traditional” marriage, at any rate, which is a redundancy to begin with as there is no other form of marriage. It’s my bloody language too!) when they allowed His Majesty Gavin I to issue his decrees from on high without any concessions to the law of the land.
Frankly, I’m surprised that A) anyone NOTICED his indiscretion and that B) he even felt he needed some sort of mea culpa in that city!
Militant Bibliophile on February 6, 2007 at 10:16 PM
I can’t get my head around the fact that this clown pulled Guilfoyle. He needs to mix in a crack habit and an S&M fetish before going to the “rehab and counseling” card. Say what you want about these libs, they follow Billy Jeff’s template to the T.
Kid from Brooklyn on February 6, 2007 at 11:08 PM
This is Frisco, dude. I can believe the first, but not the second. This clown is two pride parades away from going McGreevey on us, Oprah confessional and all.
Kid from Brooklyn on February 6, 2007 at 11:11 PM
Conservative speak – what will really happen:
1. Photo-ops during the treatment
2. Emotional libs feel sorry for him
3. Something from his childhood/family will have caused
4. Social experts will analyze/defend to death
5. He will continue the day-to-day business to show resolve
6. Girlfriend nowhere in sight, to show a little penance
7. Media will cover incessantly, in his favor
8. Completion of treatment announced with big fanfare
9. Will be shown drinking Perier at parties
10. Time goes by…
11. Gets new girlfriend or outs himself as gay
12. Gets re-elected with incredible numbers
Fantastic!
Entelechy on February 6, 2007 at 11:15 PM
He’d have to be drunk, at least. Did you see his wife?
Of course his campaign manager could be married to Scarlett Johansson. Then it’d probably only take a few whiskeys (or wine coolers or apple martinis, since he’s in good ol’ SF)
mattshu on February 6, 2007 at 11:27 PM
I am so sick of all these asshats going to “rehab” to try and convince us they are taking steps to correct their behavior. In fact, their road to recovery seems remarkably quick – a few weeks at best – at which point we’re supposed to believe they’ve recovered. This is nothing but a facade. True rehabilitation – as everyone here knows – takes a very long time. I mean, those must be some really fantastic therapists if they can cure people of their personal and social ills at such warp speed. He convinces no one capable of logical thought.
thedecider on February 6, 2007 at 11:27 PM
mattshu, that’s his former wife. He’s divorced.
Entelechy on February 6, 2007 at 11:28 PM
Watch out for this announcement, potentially coming soon:
“Antonio and Corina Villaraigosa, the Mayour of LA and his wife, announced the beginning of their marriage counseling/rehabilitation program. His first attempt, a few years ago, wasn’t strong enough and he relapsed into loving/liking other women, something to do with his strenuous job, jolly nature, background or childhood, it isn’t determined yet”.
Entelechy on February 6, 2007 at 11:39 PM
Another example of the lib double standard. Sheesh.
Spassvogel on February 6, 2007 at 11:50 PM
It is an excuse for his poor judgment, why else announce it? That’s a classic sympathy ploy.
Look at what he is setting up: “Poor me! I have a drinking problem! Feel sympathy for me and don’t pay any attention to the people I hurt, like my FORMER aid with whom I had an affair, oh and who just happens to be married to my FORMER campaign manager. How dare they criticize me, I admit I have a problem! Why can’t they leave me alone? This is a Vast Right Wing Conspiracy attempt to discredit me! Anything negative they say about me is just hate speech as I Have A Drinking Problem! It’s Not My Fault!”
Guess what buddy, it’s ALL your fault as you chose the life you lead, it isn’t forced upon you. A drinking problem is not an excuse for a weak character, it’s a symptom.
RedinBlueCounty on February 7, 2007 at 12:32 AM
You’re right – not to mention that he had an affair with a woman whom he did not (as far as we know) also use as a walking humidor.
This would sink a presidential shot from Frisco. Although a talk show might be doable.
Emmett J. on February 7, 2007 at 1:15 AM
Rehab is for sissies. When the Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV was excommunicated, he stood in the snow for three days before Pope Gregory VII would forgive him. Newsome will get pampered and coddled and then celebrated for his bravery in coming to terms with his addiction.
Ellen on February 7, 2007 at 7:24 AM
Being a Democrat means never having to say you’re sorry.
Professor Blather on February 7, 2007 at 8:32 AM
So that whole disregard for the law of the land and allowing homosexual marriage episode has to be blamed on something else then…
Mallard T. Drake on February 7, 2007 at 10:26 AM
It’s telling that even other Democrats (e.g., Tom Ammiano) calling his alcohol abuse and rehab a “second strike” rather than a mitigating circumstance — clearly the PR spin Newsom had hoped for. Note that this also evokes the idea that he has just one “strike” left.
Anil Petra on February 7, 2007 at 1:06 PM
Rehab’s for quitters!
libertarianuberalles on February 7, 2007 at 3:04 PM
This story could use a link to the South Park episode with the “kinda hot” teacher who has an affair with the 5 year old Ike and then says she’s a drunk and goes to rehab to make it all better.
I liked how the rehab door was revolving in that episode-in and out, and everything’s A-OK!!!
NTWR on February 7, 2007 at 4:45 PM
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