This is the operative who, in Nov. 2000 started the "bourgeois riot" to shut down Miami's recounting of votes. Time to shut him down?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2006/04/27/students-tell-paper-about_n_19947.htmlCongressman 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. Longtime friend and owner of Geppetto's Paulie Lichorat accompanied Rep. Sweeney. Lichorat was unavailable for comment regarding this issue.
The New York politician was barraged with a multitude of political questions and lighthearted comments from Union students when he arrived at the party. His attitude was described as cordial, and Sweeney was observed joking around with the students, sometimes even using profanity. It was reported that one student approached the Congressman with drug paraphernalia and asked to take a picture. The Congressman refused.
Melissa Carlson, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Rep. Sweeney, wrote the Concordiensis a statement that the Congressman was in Schenectady attending the wake of a close friend earlier that day. The name of the friend was not released.
"As a committed representative of the people throughout the area where he lives and works, he enjoyed the discussion he shared with the students from Union College," wrote Carlson. "
was impressed with the energy and enthusiasm the students displayed - particularly on a Friday evening. Where better to receive feedback than on their own tuff at the college itself?"
Yet witnesses affirm that Mr. Sweeney appeared to have been under the influence of alcohol at the party. One student saw the representative drinking a Keystone Light beer. "He was clearly not in the normal state of mind. He had definitely been drinking, there is no question about it," commented sophomore Kenneth Falcon, who attended the party. Falcon also managed to capture photographs and video footage of the congressman of his digital camera and cellular telephone.