Only a few short months ago, Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) was the center of media attention. His public feud with Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin made international headlines and drew criticism from all ends of the political and religious spectrums. In the end, it became clear that Tobin had effectively barred Kennedy from receiving the eucharist until he renounced his stand on abortion.
Having been "de-Catholicized" in America's most Catholic state, Kennedy not surprisingly has decided to resign his post. He cites the death of his father as the primary reason, but it is certain that the Tobin affair provided the final straw.
Visible proof of the power of America's bishops.
For elated Catholic reactions, see here. For Kennedy's YouTube resignation video, go here.
This comes from the Providence Journal.
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Kennedy: 'I will not be a candidate for reelection
08:30 AM EST on Friday, February 12, 2010
“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.
“He was talking about this decision long before any of these storms were on the radar,” said Richardson, who has remained a Kennedy confidant. “The decision has been on his mind for a while, and he just came to the conclusion that he’s spent half of his life in public service and is lucky to be young enough to continue to fight in other ways for what he cares about,” including the advancement of better mental health coverage.
Richardson also said Kennedy’s decision was unrelated to his struggles as a recovering alcoholic and drug addict.
“We wish the congressman well wherever life takes him, and salute him for his service,” said Loughlin, reached at South County Hospital where his 21-year-old daughter was about to undergo an appendectomy.
But at this point, Loughlin said, he has no idea whether Kennedy’s departure from the race will convince the previously reluctant national GOP to commit money to his bid for the seat. But “we are certainly going to run a vigorous campaign.”
There is a host of high-profile Democrats who may be interested in the seat, according to political observers, such as Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline, Democratic Party Chairman William Lynch, Cumberland Mayor Daniel J. McKee and Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts.
Kennedy was the youngest member of the House of Representatives when he was first elected in 1994 — one of the few victorious Democratic challengers in the year Republicans seized control of the House.
He quickly became a champion fundraiser, served as his party’s House campaign chief in 2000 and settled later into a plum assignment on the House Appropriations Committee.
But Kennedy’s services has been marked by controversy as well, most notably after a drug-related car crash on Capitol Hill in 2006. He has since become a public face of recovery from addiction.
With reports from
Katherine Gregg and Steve Peoples
