John Sweeney, Frat Boy

Pat Buchanan had a standard line in his stump speech years ago, “Al Gore beat out Ted Kennedy, two straight years, for the title of the biggest spender in the U.S. Senate — and Teddy Kennedy isn’t moderate about anything. I’m not kidding about Teddy. How many other 60-year-olds do you know who still go to Florida for spring break?” It appears he has some competition across the aisle.

According to Hotline,

The Union College student newspaper today [April 27] reported that the congressman arrived at the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity house last Friday, already inebriated.Sweeney dep. CoS Melissa Carlson is quoted in the story, saying the Congressman was attending the wake of a close friend earlier that day. “[The congressman] was impressed with the energy and enthusiasm the students displayed — particularly on a Friday evening. Where better to receive feedback than on their own turf at the college itself?”

[…]

Union College, which is in Schenectady, is not in Sweeney’s district. It’s in the 21st CD, which is represented by U.S. Rep. Mike McNulty, a Democrat. A Union student who worked for McNulty is quoted in The Concordy story saying she told Sweeney about her connection to his fellow congressman and he was “very rude” about it.

The Albany TimesUnion blog has more,

U.S. Rep. John Sweeney, R-Clifton Park, attended a registered, on-campus frat party on April 22.

Rep. John Sweeney Frat Party Photo

[…]

“Congressman John Sweeney, a Republican from the 20th district of New York State, appeared at a registered party at Alpha Delta Phi on Friday, April 22. The Congressman came from Geppetto’s Bar and was described by witnesses as being inquisitive and engaging, while also acting openly intoxicated.”

The silver lining:

“It was reported that one student approached the Congressman with drug paraphernalia and asked to take a picture. The Congressman refused.”

Way to set the example!

via email tip–Not from Sweeney’s Democratic opponent.

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James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.

Comments

  1. Jim Henley says:

    Watch me not getting worked up about this one.

  2. James Joyner says:

    Jim: I mostly find the combination of the photo and the explanation amusing.