Charles Kennedy 'RESPECT'

[4blue1pink]

Not a lib dem supporter but i like him and respect him for this.

Poor Chuck

Not a lib dem supporter either, but feel sorry for him and his family. Alcoholism is an illness, not something to be sneered at.

Did you notice the link to this story was at the bottom of the page?

Poor old Charlie. Hope he does sort himself out.

Apparently ITV news were going to run a story about his alcoholism a few minutes after his statement. Hence the hurried "statement".

I agree that alcoholism is not something to be sneered at, but only in December he was denying that he was receiving any treatment for drink-related problems and here he is saying he's been receiving treatment for several months. I can understand that he wanted to keep this private, but I don't think many people will forgive him for telling such blatant lies.

I think the way ITV News gloated over their 'due to our exclusive investigation CK has admitted .....' report tonight was disgusting - lost respect for them and for the presenters. I knnow he had no choice but to admit, but good for him, and wish him and his family well.

Message withdrawn

actually I do think if someone is putting themselves forward to run the country, we do have the right to know if they are an alcoholic. And I say that as someone who voted Lib Dem.

I don't see what difference it makes to running the country.

Winston Churchill was an alcoholic and he managed OK.

Actually I suspect a raging alcoholic might make a better job of running the country than some of the idiots who are trying to do it at the moment - regardless of their colour. At least an alcoholic is just trying to make it to their next drink, rather than arranging for their place in history.

what's TB's excuse? [rolls eyes]

I think it's v cynical the way he's screwed the chances of all the other leadership contenders by doing the announcement this way. None of them can stand against him under current circumstances, or they'll look like they're kicking an alcoholic when he's down. And has he noticed that there are local elections coming up? (I'm not a libdem either, so I don't really care much.)

I don't think he's been cynical, I think he's been forced into this tbh.

On both Channel 4 news and Newsnight, they said his former Press Officer was going to do an interview where he would confirm that CK was an alcoholic. So CK would be left in the position of either calling the PO a liar (wrongly) or confirming it. So he had to come out.

Yes, but he could've resigned and left the field clear.

Why should he? If he believes he can still be the most effective leader they've got, why should he resign?

And I presume he does believe that...

I'm not sure he has screwed their chances either. A lot could happen in the next few days.

That seems to me to be delusional at this stage in the game, although I see the point that he may carry public opinion with him, now.

Sorry, cross-post. Am sure you're not delusional.

i admire him for his admission, and don't blame him for his previous reticence. after all, denial is part of the problem, no? or so i understand. i hope he gets the support he needs to beat the problem - not only for his own sake but for his wife and child's.

Oh I don't know. After Big Brother, I may very well be delusional.

Actually I was thinking that the LibDem party should've shoved him on Big Brother.

That did occur to me as George Galloway ambled in.

And the Labour Party could've shoved Tony into the BB House and let Gordon take the reins.

oh.my.god.

george galloway is on celebrity bb?

don't tell me oona king is in there too?

maybe sadam hussain or osama bin laden will turn up...

LOL at the thought of Oona King in there with him!

it is always a pleasure to hear oona talk about the election

Yes, if she watches BB it'll drive her mad with rage.