>>First step to what? Absolute sobriety?
In this case, the step over which he hesitated was Rehab. Couldn't quite get that foot across the threshold.
>>Maybe the type of person that feels down about themselves and wants to drink to feel better, doesn't need your finger in their face telling them to live up to standards typically reserved for Saints (who still drink wine with little bits of crackers).
You need to find somewhere else to paste your finger-waggling diatribe. ;-) My knowledge is that he came to a conference, was an absolute winner, showed infectious pleasure at seeing Clinton in person, and did not drink afaics. That's it- except that there would have been a place for him at our booth last month and will be again if he's available and has things sorted.
"... They ne'er cared for us
yet: suffer us to famish, and their store-houses
crammed with grain; make edicts for usury, to
support usurers; repeal daily any wholesome act
established against the rich, and provide more
piercing statutes daily, to chain up and restrain
the poor. If the wars eat us not up, they will; and
there's all the love they bear us."
-- Shakespeare: Coriolanus, Act 1, scene 1