So there's a big, somewhat juicy story buried in Matier & Ross' column today about the Mayor. Now first off, it's kind of interesting that they have the story second and lead with a not terribly interesting story about how much the Governator's broken leg costs. But whatever-- we don't mean to mean to get all-conspiratorial about the story.
Anyways, what the story is about is that on the night Officer Bryan Tuvera was shot, the Gav was at a holiday party and when he showed up at the hospital, he was a little un-sober. Said one witness: "was he staggering drunk? No. But you could smell it on him, and you could see it on him." He was apparently pretty emotional and hugging everyone-- a little too much it is said. He also posed for pictures with the hospital staff.
Apparently, the story has been making the rounds for the past couple of weeks, enough so that Matier & Ross felt obliged to comment about it. We'll let you figure if there's any machinations behind that too.
Now, on the one hand, stories like this are always a little embarrassing to the person involved, mainly the Mayor. It's easy for tongue to wag and we're sure tongues are wagging. On the other hand, well it was a Friday night and Gavin was doing what we all would do-- having a bit of fun on a Friday night. How much of a personal life is he allowed to have? We hardly think he's the first politician to be somewhat indisposed when some sort of emergency or the other popped up. You can't tell us Willie was constantly on call 24/7 and was never, ever doing something he shouldn't have been doing (although we have a feeling Willie, consumate pro that he was, could hold his liquor like nobody and that he was usually indisposed in other ways and we think you know what we mean, nudge...nudge...wink...wink). And unlike a certain President we all know and love, Gavin was both awake and not on an endless vacation.
Still, the story is a bit on the embarrassing side, especially if you're running for re-election.
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I guess for him to be publicly intoxicated was fine. Especially when he wants the police to enforce the public intoxicated on the houseless. Another class double standard.
It's less interesting to me that the incident took place than it is that M&R chose to comment on his sobriety, again. It was only a few weeks ago that they were giving him a hard time about being hammered in North Beach while out on a date.
Are there just too many instances of this happening and his puppet masters are sending him a warning to get his shit in order? Or is it really just a lull in the news cycle and they are scratching for anything they can find to put into print?
Sounds like he is a "nice drunk". The dude had my vote now!
As for a double standard Jerry: when I hear about homeless people getting drunk and going into hospitals and hugging violent crime victims, that's when I'll call Gav a hypocrite.
Feh... seems like the same sewing-circle mentality that M&R typically follows in their column. Not surprised. Gavin made a tough choice, knowing he'd had a few drinks. Show up with red eyes, or not show up and be accused of being insensitive or out of touch.
Sounds like he is a "nice drunk". The dude now has my vote now!
As for a double standard Jerry: when I hear about homeless people getting drunk and going into hospitals and hugging violent crime victims, that's when I'll call Gav a hypocrite.
Enjoying a Friday night? Are you kidding? This is not the first time (and possibly not the last) that an item has appeared in the press about the Mayor's sobriety.If the man doesn't have a problem yet, then he is on the way to having one very quickly. Unfortunately, he has the misfortune of being surrounded by apparently co-dependent people that enable his problem. SFist,while I really enjoy your blog, you need to get a grip. Making excuses for someone who needs help is lame.
Making excuses for someone who needs help is lame.
But we are all about tough love when it comes to Question Time.
One can be drunk and an effective politician. Ted Kennedy did it for years - and he's a lion of the Senate. Ray Flynn in Boston was infamous for being toasted at pubs at 2 in the morning - yet he still managed to create a host of quite progessive City programs to address urban poverty, education, etc.
Meanwhile, Guliani is probably a teetotaler and that guy is an asshole.
I'm shocked, shocked that an adult was tipsy both during a date and after a holiday party! This desperate cry for help won't go unanswered, Gavin! SFist readers are specially trained to diagnose addiction from afar, via blurbs in the local press.
P.S. Won't somebody think of the children?
Give the guy a break. It was a Friday before Christmas and he was at a christmas party. Call me crazy, but the guy is entitled to a life. If this is the worst dirt that can be dug up on him, then he is more of a saint than 80% of the voters in this town. This will have ZERO effect on him in the election, and I did not vote for him the last time.
Any word on what color tie he was wearing?
My highly-credible source/psychic informs me that he was wearing a blue tie.
I'm not usually one to spread rumors, but if you can't spread rumors in blog comments, where can you spread them: I've heard from a couple different sources that Gav hasn't been the same since Kimberly Guilfoyle re-married and got pregnant. Apparently he's been coping by hitting the sauce.
I'll buy a beer and a shot for whoever asks Gavin this question on Saturday: "Mr. Mayor how much do you drink, and do you have a drinking problem?"
I have also heard speculation that the Gavster might be developing a drinking habit
Seriously, give the guy a break. He was at a holiday party and he was enjoying himself when an unforseen tragedy happened and as 'Doug' posted if he HADN'T shown up he would've looked like a jerk. The mayor drinking at a party should'nt be news. If a flask falls out of his pocket during a morning press conference...well, then I'll be worried.
Christ all mighty, the man has had to deal with a very public divorce, people constantly commenting on his private life, constant disrespect from the "supes", a scandal, a rough 2006 professionally speaking, and let us not forget his mother's memorial. Can't the man have a drink??? Can we all stop being a little self-righteous and let the man have his cocktail in peace? I know I could use one, and Gavin, if I ever bump into you again, the next cocktail's on me!
And who isn't a little "less-than-sober" on a Friday evening? Last time I checked we were all entitled to a life outside of the office.
Christ all mighty, the man has had to deal with a very public divorce, people constantly commenting on his private life, constant disrespect from the "supes", a scandal, a rough 2006 professionally speaking, and let us not forget his mother's memorial. Can't the man have a drink??? Can we all stop being a little self-righteous and let the man have his cocktail in peace? I know I could use one, and Gavin, if I ever bump into you again, the next cocktail's on me!
And who isn't a little "less-than-sober" on a Friday evening? Last time I checked we were all entitled to a life outside of the office.
Thats right. Newsom deserves a drink. So does whatever 19 year old he is hanging out with (unless shes a chronic inebriate... in which case they should be arrested, according to the Mayor)
This one is boring, can we go back to the hair gel now. When is his term over, anyway, so he can move on to D.C. and we can get a real mayor?
Jon, trust your conspiratorial hunches.
Everyone has heard that the Mayor has been drinking heavily, regularly. This piece in Matier and Ross is what's known as media "inoculation." There have now been so many stories about his frequent drunkenness that it was only a matter of time before it hit the press. The M&R story works to diffuse a potential election year bomb. It addresses the embarrassing rumor of Gavin's heavy drinking but in a sympathetic context that ultimately makes Gav look like a swell guy who was just being festive during the holidays.
I guess we'll see in the coming weeks and months if the inoculation was effective.
Jon, trust your conspiratorial hunches.
Everyone has heard that the Mayor has been drinking heavily, regularly. This piece in Matier and Ross is what's known as media "inoculation." There have now been so many stories about his frequent drunkenness that it was only a matter of time before it hit the press. The M&R story works to diffuse a potential election year bomb. It addresses the embarrassing rumor of Gavin's heavy drinking but in a sympathetic context that ultimately makes Gav look like a swell guy who was just being festive during the holidays.
I guess we'll see in the coming weeks and months if the inoculation was effective.
Newsom is an alcoholic. It's no secret, especially around City Hall. When is he going to grow up show some good judgement?
Remember he is in the wine business.