Posted on 02/11/2010 11:39:50 PM PST by ninonitti
Bringing down the curtain - at least for now - on Camelot and one of the most storied political dynasties in the nation’s history, U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, son of the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, says he is not running for re-election.
In a taped message intended for broadcast Sunday night and obtained by the Herald, the R.I. Democrat, looking haggard and speaking directly into the camera, said it was time to leave Congress after 16 years.
“Now having spent two decades in politics, my life is taking a new direction, and I will not be a candidate for re-election this year,” Kennedy said in the ad.
Kennedy’s bombshell comes as polls show the eight-term Democrat in an uphill fight against Republican John J. Loughlin II, a veteran state lawmaker and well-financed foe.
A WPRI-12 poll out just last month showed Kennedy with a staggering 56 percent unfavorable rating in his own district, swelling to 62 percent statewide. Moreover, just 35 percent in his district would vote for him again.
“It was not going to be a cakewalk,” said Joe Fleming, who conducted the poll.
Kennedy’s stunning bow-out also closely follows Republican Scott Brown winning the Massachusetts seat long held by the congressman’s iconic father for 47 years.
A longtime aide and confidant, though, said Kennedy, 42, had pondered the departure from public life for some time.
“It’s something he’s been thinking about for a while,” said Sean Richardson, Kennedy’s former chief of staff, who added that the decision has nothing to do with Kennedy’s most recent struggles with substance abuse.
“ After serving in elected office for half of his life, it was time to take his talents to a different arena,” Richardson said.
Kennedy will finish out his term but hasn’t indicated what he’d like to do once he leaves office, Richardson said.
However, in his video remarks, Kennedy said he would battle on behalf of sufferers of depression, addiction, autism and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Kennedy also hasn’t thrown his support behind any other candidates, Richardson said.
The sudden departure of Kennedy caught his Republican rival off guard.
“I am somewhat surprised,” Loughlin said in a phone interview. “I thought for certain he’d run for another term.”
“I wish the congressman well in what ever the future holds,” Loughlin said. “It doesn’t change our mesage to the voters of the First Congressional district - we’re still expecting we’re going to have to run a race.”
Is this the last of the drunk clan in politics?
Heh... Another Democrat sees the light!
More like the POA (Pi**ed Off Americans) effect.
Thank God and good riddance!
I am so sick and tired of the Kennedy aristocracy I could puke.
Good riddance to liberal rubbish..
Isn’t that a big ol’ rug on his head in the video?
Writing, meet wall...
What’s amazing is that these Kennedy’s, JFK aside, are all idiots.
well darn. I was looking forward to seeing him lose.
Biden's still around for the time being.
Heh...yah know, I was wishing for the same! Not quite the same when he withdraws...
JFK was a big government idiot, too. He also had the morals of Bill Clinton.
"On second thought, let's not go to Camelot... It is a silly place."
Free My People!
Maybe his phony liberal politics and Kennedy legacy were the source of his self loathing that made him need to self medicate. Maybe with his father gone he can live a principled honest life and finally find contentment.
Or maybe he just wants to get drunk and drugged up all the time and his Congressional responsibilities were getting in the way.
Was it his Catholic bishop challenging Patrick on his abortion votes and views?
And Patrick whining about it that helped to contribute to this unopularity??????
Or perhaps its the “health care” issue in general.
Finally, What Sarah wants to do - short video part of "Part-3" below
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Other videos: This is the 30 minute interview with Chris Wallace from Fox (2-7-10), in 3 parts:
Quitter.
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