After Ted Kennedy drowned Mary Jo and got away with it unscathed, he struck a lower profile. Lately, however, he is getting more and more face time. I've begun paying closer attention to him as a result and I can't help but deduce that he has been drunk during a number of his Senate appearances.

I've noticed a marked difference in both his speech and his overall appearance when he's on the Senate floor, as opposed to when he's being interviewed one-on-one. Could this be because his aides won't let him anywhere near reporters when he's, uh, indisposed?

I brought this up at a dinner party last night and it was suggested that what might appear as inebriation could just as likely be signaling an early onset of Alzheimer's.

I admit that I know very little about Alzheimer's, but I do know a drunk when I see one. Has anyone else noticed these symptoms? And what do they indicate?

Do you have any specific examples we can see? Video footage, transcripts of interviews, whatever? I've not seen what you describe; but then again, haven't sat there looking too closely, either.

Ted's drinking problem, during his long and distinguished career in politics, has caused him many problems both privately and professionally. I remember years ago when his nephews were in court on various sexual charges, that testimony made it public Ted attended some of those "wild" parties. Some of those embarrassing tales forced his comrades in the Senate to take him aside and give him a final warning-either straighten up or out!

Then, Ted re-married a beautiful woman (half his age) that has been a great influence in his life and he declared that he gave up alcohol. She is a good cook, so thus, his weight gain.

IMO, Ted's in his 70's and the accumulation of tragedies and fast living have caught up with him. I do think some of his outrageous outbursts in the Senate made me wonder whether he was boozing again.

Alzheimer's? I don't know if I would go that far. He doesn't seem to have a memory problem during his speeches or interviews.

One of our distinguished "paragon of virtues" that should really sit down and shut up when it comes to making outrageous charges against others' character or actions! Jessie Jackson is another prime example!

Not to be overly partisan, but I just thought it should be said that the "evidence" suggesting that Kennedy is boozing or suffering from Alzheimer's could as easily apply to the President. I've never been overly fond of Ted or most his family, but Ted has put forth better evidence in his rants than exists to show he's a drunk again. I'd be ashamed of any Demo that suggested Bush's problems speaking when off-script and avoidance of press conferences amounted to evidence of an alcoholic relapse or mental disease. I think Desert Resident is right to point out Ted's years of wild living and family tragedy can explain alot. Given the violent deaths of his three older brothers, I'm amazed the man was as together as he was when we knew he was a slovenly drunk.