Notice how much bush reached for his glass? Alcoholic habit?

[kittykitty]

Every time he felt trapped, he reached for his glass and took a sip. I see that as the old alcoholic reaction, and the crutch a sip of alcohol provides.

In fact in the 60's there was a bar outside of Lake Tahoe on the way to Reno called "The Glass Crutch". I think bush was using "the glass crutch"

[htuttle]

1. He wanted to hide behind that glass

[DemoVet]

2. I wonder if he was wearing a Motorman's Friend

I'm sure that water was going right through him. He seems like the nervous bladder type.

[cheshire]

6. That depends.

[fortyfeetunder]

3. Couldn't take the heat

IIRC, the Bush handlers wanted the temperature on the stage to be elevated so as to make Kerry sweat. But the real deal is the Chimp couldn't take the heat. What a dumb sanavich (as my little one spelled it one day...)

[AndyTiedye]

4. Was it Water in the Glass or Gin?

Whichever it was, he drained it really quickly.

[SammyWinstonJack]

7. Gin

Perhaps he was hoping Jesus would turn water into wine for him?

[gordianot]

5. A lot is going on.

I suspect the Kerry campaign is closely studying his responses. I would also imagine that there are numerous governments reviewing these tapes with their intelligence services. A rare opportunity to view his deterioration. * was very transparent, this man has major psychological issues.

[Boomer]

10. More than just psych problems...

The man is obviously ill, physically ill. Much as we like to make fun of his idiocy, it's more probable that the twitching and smirking and incoherence are all symptoms of a deteriorating neurological condition. Which also explains the choking on pretzels and frequent falls and the need for more vacations than another president.

As numerous posters on this forum have observed, older tapes of Bush show a stark contrast with his present condition. Although never a rocket scientist, he was more articulate and composed even 10 years ago than he is now.

The strain of office -- even for a man as incurious and unreflective as Bush -- has probably exacerbated an underlying condition. The White House staff are probably counting the days until the election in hopes that they can keep their boy from a public meltdown.

[gordianot]

11. Agreed

In DSM-IV terminology there are Axis III and Axis IV diagnosis. I work mainly with school age students in assessment.

It is hard to say what factors are of primary concern. I see signs of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (speculation is OK since I am not a licensed Psychologist). The substance abuse issues are a given.

There are a lot of theories circulating about this man. I have read several articles about his psychological functioning in the foreign press. I do Goggle searches from time to time. Saw a interesting article in Pravda the other day. Sad commentary that the main media in Russia would publish an article but you see nothing in American Press.

[Boomer]

14. Alcholism, seizures, maybe both

He's an alcoholic who quit drinking without any significant support system then assumed one of the most stressful jobs possible (at least on par with being a toll-booth operator). So the probability that he's drinking again are VERY high indeed.

But I do wonder if his condition is more complicated than that. There's been speculation here on DU that the reason Bush never finished his Guard duty -- especially that pesky physical -- is that he was diagnosed with some condition, probably neurological, that would have destroyed his career if made public. Or, at the very least, embarassed the highly competitive Bush family.

So there's the dangerous possibility that Bush is mixing alcohol with meds and displaying the mood swings inherent in such volatile blood chemistry.

You'd think after the Reagan presidency that independent semi-annual physicals would be mandatory.

[gordianot]

16. I understand he is putting off a physical until after the election.

[kittykitty]

19. Good points.................... nt

[Ksec]

8. Ya know ...that does make sense.

Pain meds would make him thirsty also. I have a strange feeling he was loaded up on Oxycontin last night. No proof, just a hunch

[SayitAintSo]

9. His eyes looked beady and dialated.....

He did look like he was on something.

[Digit]

12. His sips were teeny, so it could have been something else

[NMDemDist2]

13. Dry Drunk Syndrome...

"Dry drunk" is a term describing the state of the alcoholic who is uncomfortable when he is not drinking. The "dry drunk syndrome" is a group of symptoms that occur together and constitute an abnormality. Since the abnormality of the alcoholic's attitudes and behavior during his drinking career is generally recognized, the persistence of these traits after the alcoholic stops drinking might seem equally abnormal. Therefore, the term "dry-drunk" alludes to the absence of favorable change in the attitudes and behavior of the alcoholic who is not drinking.

"Dry Drunk" Traits:

* Grandiose behavior
* Pomposity
* Exaggerated self-importance
* A rigidly judgmental outlook
* Impatience
* Childish behavior
* Irresponsible behavior
* Irrational rationalization
* Projection
* Overreaction

http://www.kenpeterscenter.com/drydrunk.htm

[beaconess]

15. I noticed he never really drank - just took a tiny sip each time

Obviously just a nervous gesture.

[Nevernose]

17. Cottonmouth from the meds?

:shrug:

[mike_c]

18. this is what I wonder, too

eom