Give the man his due, he's obviously got a knack for reading the tea (party) leaves:
Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, the last member of his famous family still serving in elective office, has decided not to seek a ninth term in Congress.
"I will not be a candidate for reelection this year," the 42-year-old Kennedy says in an emotion-laden advertisement released by his office Thursday that will air Sunday night. Facing the camera in a blue suit and striped tie, the Rhode Island Democrat mentions his years of service and the death of his father, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, last summer.
"We all know how difficult the last few years have been," Kennedy begins. "Rhode Island families have struggled," he adds, citing the bad economy and mortgage foreclosures.
Then Kennedy says of his father, the longtime Democratic senator from Massachusetts: "Illness took the life of my most cherished mentor and confidant, my ultimate source of spirit and strength."
Kennedy's surprise decision spells the end of an era in American politics, instantly raises the prospects for the congressman's Republican opponent, state Rep. John Loughlin III, of Tiverton, and may spur a fight among Democratic contenders for the seat.
But Kennedy's decision "absolutely, unequivocally has nothing to do with" the congressman's poor showing in recent polls, the shocking election of another little-known Republican state legislator, Scott Brown, to his father's Senate seat or the generally grim mood of voters in Rhode Island and around the country, according to Sean Richardson, the congressman's former chief of staff.
Please Mr. Richardson, save the lies for your cronies in the White House, who are quite skilled at it... you clearly are not sir.
Crossposted(*).
Comments (7)
Mentor? His mentor? More ... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Maggie Mama | February 12, 2010 7:13 AM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Mentor? His mentor? More like he lost his puppet master. Teddy told the kid what to think and what to do and for the most part kept his a$$ out of trouble.
As the old expression goes, Teddy had more political saavy in his obese little finger than Patrick has in his whole liquor laden body.
1. Posted by Maggie Mama | February 12, 2010 7:13 AM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on February 12, 2010 07:13
2. Posted by Gmac | February 12, 2010 7:41 AM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
As I stated one article up, good riddance to a waste.
2. Posted by Gmac | February 12, 2010 7:41 AM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on February 12, 2010 07:41
3. Posted by 914 | February 12, 2010 1:15 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Watch out for that bridge!!
3. Posted by 914 | February 12, 2010 1:15 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on February 12, 2010 13:15
4. Posted by OLDPUPPYMAX | February 12, 2010 3:58 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Daddy Teddy was his source of "spirit and strength??" Maybe that explains his total lack of both!
4. Posted by OLDPUPPYMAX | February 12, 2010 3:58 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on February 12, 2010 15:58
5. Posted by dnb | February 12, 2010 8:20 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
If daddy was the source of his spirit, shouldn't the title be "Patrick Kennedy cuts and rums?"
5. Posted by dnb | February 12, 2010 8:20 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on February 12, 2010 20:20
6. Posted by poptoy | February 13, 2010 5:45 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Oh but yeah he is indeed a ducker and a runner. Now you know what they say about duckers and runners don't ya?
6. Posted by poptoy | February 13, 2010 5:45 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on February 13, 2010 05:45
7. Posted by Jer | February 13, 2010 8:46 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Alpha Mike Foxtrot
7. Posted by Jer | February 13, 2010 8:46 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on February 13, 2010 08:46