Posted on 11/17/2003 4:36:00 PM PST by nycfree
Rogers will run against Kennedy
By James J. Gillis/Daily News staff
Bristol - David W. Rogers wants to make a splash in his second attempt to unseat U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, D-R.I.
Rogers, 37, of Portsmouth plans to announce his candidacy today at noon from the steps of the Bristol County Courthouse. Then he will jump into the Bristol waters.
During his campaign, Rogers said he plans to swim much of the First Congressional District, which stretches from Newport to Woonsocket. He figures each swim will last a mile to two miles.
"I think you need to send out the message that if you're going to show you're serious about this and go all out, you have to take a risk," Rogers said Friday.
Rogers, a Republican who lost to Kennedy in 2002 by a 60 to 37 percent margin, is hardly a surprise candidate. He already has raised $700,000 for his 2004 bid. His aquatic campaign approach, however, appears to be a first in the sometimes murky waters of Rhode Island politics.
In 2002, Mike Battles, who lost to Rogers in a primary race, walked the district. Kennedy has completed the annual Swim The Bay event to raise money for the Save The Bay environmental group.
But no one has jumped into chilly waters to determine if a political race will sink or swim. Rogers said some of his aides talked about something that might make a statement. Rogers is a former Navy SEAL, so swimming in frigid climes is nothing new for him.
Rogers has been training at the Newport Athletic Club in Middletown but is waiting until he gets a new wetsuit before swimming outdoors.
"You have to show how badly you want the job," said Rogers, who expects to head up to the Seekonk and Providence rivers, through Warren and Bristol, over to Jamestown, to Newport and then his current hometown of Portsmouth between now and November 2004.
"It's something I really want to do," he said.
Rogers already is talking issues. One of his main goals is to establish Aquidneck Island as a center for specialized military activities, such as the Navy SEALs. Rogers said the area has a long military history and facilities such as the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in place.
"We have the infrastructure here already," he said. "It would be a natural fit."
Rogers is supportive of the Bush administration's efforts in Iraq. While the campaign has had its highs and lows, Rogers thinks the United States is doing well. Many of the more mundane stories, such as the building of schools, fail to get the same play as the attacks, he said.
But Rogers said he believes the Iraqi people welcome the United States' presence. "There's a chance to do a lot of good things, to establish a democracy," he said. "I read a poll that 80 percent of the Iraqi people want us there."
The Rogers campaign recently paid a $250 fine for violating federal election law. William J. Lynch, chairman of the state Democratic Party, complained that the campaign had failed to report some contributions.
Rogers acknowledged the fine and said the problems stemmed from his direct mail fund-raising service's failure to list four contributions of $1,000 apiece. Rogers said it was an oversight. "It won't happen again, but I take responsibility for it," he said.
Kennedy, who has served since 1995, has yet to announce his formal re-election plans, but is expected to run again. Frank Carter, a freelance writer from Central Falls, also plans to run again as an independent. Carter captured 3 percent of the vote in 2002.
Teddy's ex-wife, Ethel (?), had a severe drinking problem, I'm told. But if you were married to that bottom-feeding slug, and gave birth to that little twerp, wouldn't you take solace in Demon Rum?
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