Weiner Bouquet: Terrible Political Husband Buys Crappy Flowers

The Daily doesn't recommend bodega flowers when you publicly embarrass your wife

What could make disgraced former Congressman Anthony Weiner's week suck even more after formally resigning from the House of Representatives? Having Rupert Murdoch's iPad-only publication, The Daily, follow him as he buys $22.97 worth of flowers from a bodega in Queens, "Looking casual in a chambray button-down and jeans — maybe we’ll see an unemployment beard to match his dressed-down duds soon? — the overexposed Democratic pol passed over the long-stemmed red roses and jaunty yellow sunflowers in favor of three bundles of carnations in red, white and blue." Yeah, carnations!

Murdoch's NYC tabloid, the Post, jumps on the anti-carnation bandwagon—and points out that the flowers aren't all carnations, the "red" ones are orange roses and the blue ones are agapanthuses. There's also a quote from SUNY Buffalo American Studies professor Elayne Rapping, "It's ridiculous, and it could make [wife Huma] angrier. He knows there are photographers and reporters outside of his house. He could have easily called up a florist and had flowers delivered to her -- this seems to be more of a gesture for the press than for her. A way of him saying, 'I'm being a good husband.'"

A florist at a Madison Avenue bloom business says, "It's ill-conceived. Carnations are not really popular among women these days -- and orange roses? He should have stuck to red." There you go—Weiner is a horrible decision maker, from taking embarrassing photographs of himself, well, everywhere, to buying flowers.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on June 24, 2011 9:02 AM

Comments [rss]

Nathan Bonsal

Apparently, every woman everywhere likes the same things.
I'm not claiming that red, white, and blue carnations are a great thing, but since he's a politician, maybe they mean something. Maybe it's a reminder of a previous good time.

But that would be more suited to a declaration of love, not a declaration of apology. Yeah, the guy's a tool.

Everyone knows the appropriate present for humiliating a woman in public is a trip to jamaica with the girlfriend of her choice.

Susan

Not being from NY, I was always impressed that NYers could buy flowers on almost every corner, order dinner (or groceries) any time of night and get their laundry picked up if they had to. Sounds like he's just being a NYer. And the NY POST doesn't get it? C'mon guys.

K P

This is the cattiest, bitchiest article I've read in a long time. Good job, guys. He's out, it's over and done. Get a life.

Kimberley Truelove

Why go to a florist when you can get the same flowers at a bodega for cheap? Doesn't make them any less pretty. I decorate my table with bodega flowers every week.

Casey Hargarther

If you think this is ridiculous, just wait until his child is born. The tabloids is going to offer $$$ to get a photo of him carrying his child.
Why they are still covering him? Knowing what I know about the guy tells me that he will attempt to stage a comeback like Eliot Spitzer did, so he will not be out of the public eye forever.

Unkle_Bob

What's to say these flowers are even for her? Maybe they're just to put in the foyer or bathroom or kitchen counter.

Jennifer Cardigan

HER: I have something you can do for me to make this better.
HIM: What is it? I'll do anything.
HER: I want flowers.
HIM: Anything. What kind? I'll call the florist.
HER: No, no. Bodega flowers. From the corner. But, not this corner. The one three blocks away so the paparazzi have more time to follow you. Carnations, roses, and ... something blue. I'll let you pick those. Oh, and not red roses. Something like red.... orange.
HIM: But, wouldn't you rather have that beautiful bouquet I got you last year for your birthday? I'll get you something beautiful.
HER: No. Bodega flowers. The tackier, the better. I'll let you back in when I see the twitpics.
HIM: Haven't I been humiliated enough?
HER: No.

ItchyGoiter

Fuck you, gothamist.

Guest

Considering that she's the only one now with a steady income, I think a budget-bouquet is completely appropriate.

TimSPC

Please, Anthony Weiner, PLEASE run in the special election. The butthurt from the Post alone when you win would brighten my face with a smile for months.

Guest

That's just stupid. I like carnations, and many other people do. I would prefer to get carnations rather than roses. It's beyond words how bad and pathetic such 'journalism' is. Is there really nothing mote pressing to report than Weiner's flower preferences? Lamestream media, indeed.

Ragingsemi

For all we know they were his wife's favorite flowers...unlikely but possible.

Elderta2

This is one of those stories that makes me want to punch "news" outlets in the neck.

secretcognition

Never has one man endured so much humiliation for so little.

Allison

What SC said. Enough already, although isn't Ween supposed to be off at self/sex rehab?

RevWaldo

My missus prefers carnations over roses - seriously! And traditional storefront florists are becoming harder to find. Nowadays your choices seem to be the bodega florists or "floral design" shops that don't do bouquets.

Jennifer Cardigan

I agree. A nice batch of carnations is more thoughtful than roses. Roses are too easy - don't require thought (unless, of course, you know the lady likes them).

I love the two local bodegas that sell flowers near my apartment. Love walking by them in the morning as they get their deliveries.

Gwinny

yeah, they last a lot longer

shocktheday

$22.97 ? Better than my $10 gas station dozen roses.

Jennifer Cardigan

That's because he bought THREE dozen, so he's even cheaper than $10 gas station roses.

Who the F buys their wife "red, white, and blue" flowers?! I can only hope he's apologizing to some political figure because that's just corny as hell in the BEST of times.