I know I have made fun of Ted for drinking, but I wonder how much he really drinks. If he in fact had lived up to the legend, you'd think he'd be dead.
About ten years ago,Teddy was pushing a bill he had proposed to "benefit" pre-natal care and research.There was a press party held at the hospital at which I worked,which is in Massachusetts and is *well* known for its OB/GYN Service and,during that party,I got within two feet of Teddy.
His facial features demonstrated the classic...and I mean *classic*...signs of an Irish alcoholic,including the spider veins (particularly on his nose).
I have no doubt that a closeup,un-retouched color photo of WC Fields (who was,in real life,a serious alcoholic) would have looked very similar.