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May 4, 2006

Congressman Kennedy in the News for the Wrong Reasons

Carroll Andrew Morse

From WUSA-TV (the CBS affiliate) in Washington D.C....

9 News has learned U.S. Capitol police officers are concerned about the handling of an accident involving Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-Rhode Island) about 3 a.m. this morning.

Rep. Kennedy was reportedly behind the wheel of a green Ford Mustang when it crashed into a security barrier at 1st and "C" streets Southeast.

There are no reports of injuries....A spokesman for his office told CNN that alcohol was NOT involved.

The head of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 1, Lou Cannon, told 9 News that he’s concerned that Kennedy may have received special treatment and this could be a case where “rank has its privilege.”

Comments

Much more from Wonkette who passes this along from Roll Call:

According to a letter sent by Officer Greg Baird, acting chairman of the USCP FOP, the [Kennedy] wreck took place at approximately 2:45 a.m. Thursday when Kennedy’s car, operating with its running lights turned off, narrowly missed colliding with a Capitol Police cruiser and smashed into a security barricade at First and C streets Southeast.

“The driver exited the vehicle and he was observed to be staggering,” Baird’s letter states. Officers approached the driver, who “declared to them he was a Congressman and was late to a vote. The House had adjourned nearly three hours before this incident. It was Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy from Rhode Island.”

Baird wrote that Capitol Police Patrol Division units, who are trained in driving under the influence cases, were not allowed to perform basic field sobriety tests on the Congressman. Instead, two sergeants, who also responded to the accident, proceeded to confer with the Capitol Police watch commander on duty and then “ordered all of the Patrol Division Units to leave the scene and that they were taking over.”

Baird said he had been advised that after the officers departed, Capitol Police “House Division officials” gave Kennedy a ride home.

Posted by: Marc Comtois at May 4, 2006 5:45 PM

This guy has got to go!

J Mahn

Posted by: Joe Mahn at May 4, 2006 7:17 PM

Beware Kennedy's operating transportation devices, be it automobiles or airplanes.

We all know about Teddy. And didn't Joe Kennedy cripple a girl by flipping a Jeep? And then there was JFK Jr.'s failed attempt at "Top Gun" status.

Patrick is just luck he wasn't driving next to the Potomac!

Posted by: Tom W at May 4, 2006 9:16 PM

Was there a female in the car?
Did he drive near the potomac?

Good to see the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Yet just as they did with Teddy, the lemmings will vote Patrick back into office.

Has Jack snuffed out the eternal flame, turnign over in his grave once again for the ignorance of his family.

If only the Patriot act was in effect when Patrick attacked airport security, he could be spending time in the pokey right now for that act of violence. Oh wait he is one of those feel good, do good liberals.

The family motto, Do as I say not as I do!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: David Davis at May 4, 2006 11:04 PM

The smartest thing Patrick can do at this point is admit he has a problem, and do some rehab.
That said, the GOP won't be able to take advantage without having a decent candidate to put up against him. It doesn't bode well that nobody in either party was willing to challenge him before this incident.

Posted by: Rhody at May 5, 2006 12:46 AM

Rhody is right on his first point, but wrong his second -- the GOP does needs to put up a decent challenger. Thankfully someone has recently stepped up on the GOP side to do just this. Now it's just a matter of him going out and raising the money to win

Posted by: johnb at May 5, 2006 8:02 AM

Who's the prospective challenger here? He hasn't had a decent opponent since Kevin Vigilante.
I've always believed Patrick (and his dad) could be in trouble if a moderate, pro-choice woman ever ran against them. Why hasn't the GOP ever gone out and gotten a Claudine Schneider or Sue Stenhouse type to take on Patrick?

Posted by: Rhody at May 5, 2006 12:11 PM

I think it's common-enough knowledge to disclose that Ed Leather of East Providence will be taking on Patrick this time around.

Leather, a Brown grad, former teacher and member of the foreign service has good relations within the Portugese community. He served as Consul to Portugal, and is beginning to tap into the supporters of Rogers' campaign (where he raised close to $2million)

Posted by: johnb at May 5, 2006 2:51 PM

I heard that the guy running against Kennedy didn't want to release his age to the press. That's a sign that this guy has no clue about running for public office. The GOP should find a real candidate.

Posted by: Anthony at May 7, 2006 12:37 PM