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Patrick Kennedy's Retirement Ad (VIDEO)
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Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) announced his retirement from Congress tonight. Kennedy has served there since 1994. On Sunday, the Providence Journal reports, Kennedy will run a commercial during 60 Minutes announcing his decision to the people of Rhode Island. See the video after the jump.
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Nutter
February 11, 2010 11:14 PM
What the hell is going on? It seems like everyone is retiring, democrats and republicans!
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Peche
February 11, 2010 11:54 PM
They are all frauds, and they know their s--t is about to hit the fan. One by one skeletons are falling out the closet.
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oleeb
February 12, 2010 12:49 AM
What a pity. The nation is losing a good man. I wish he weren't retiring from Congress. On the other hand, without his Dad there, it may just no longer be worth doing for him and I can certainly understand that. Godspeed Congressman Kennedy and thank you!
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VexSmith
February 12, 2010 3:29 AM
His mother isn't well. His thinking could be that more difficult personal times are ahead in addition to having to run two campaigns. He decided to pass on it.
With all the criticism he's taken --most deserved-- I think voters are kidding themselves if they think someone else would have delivered more. He gets no style points but he wasn't an ineffective rep.
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tonnyb
February 12, 2010 8:36 AM in reply to VexSmith
He was an effective rep. Why the double negative? :)
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Buckley
February 12, 2010 4:10 AM
Now, get me a scotch!
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Pete Bilderback
February 12, 2010 8:16 AM
Patrick has had some tough times lately with the death of his father and the highly publicized attacks he has faced from his church. I know both these things took a heavy toll on him emotionally. I wish him all the best in whatever he has planned for the future.
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markg8
February 12, 2010 8:30 AM
Let's hope he moves back to MA and runs off Scott Brown in 3 years. Pat Kennedy is a fighter and I don't think we've seen the last of him yet.
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VexSmith
February 12, 2010 8:54 AM in reply to markg8
"don't think we've seen the last of him yet."
Probably not, but as for Congress I think it's over. And Ma...he could never get nominated.
He was a good Rep. with too many high-profile imbroglios.
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lousgirl84
February 12, 2010 9:08 AM in reply to VexSmith
Never say never
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tduff
February 12, 2010 9:10 AM
Sad to see him leave but lets just hope RI elects another Dem.
http://randomthoughtstd.blogspot.com/
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Sailormarlowe
February 12, 2010 9:35 AM
Another useless Kennedy gone. Good riddance.
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Weitberg
February 12, 2010 11:12 AM
So we're up to 14 Dems and 18 Republicans retiring. How long until Michael Steele starts claiming this as a majority?
TheWeekinRebuke.com
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howie
February 12, 2010 11:50 AM
My local Fox affiliate ran the story as, "...less than 3 weeks after Scott Brown's victory in MA, Patrick Kennedy chooses not to run for reelection."
I inferred that the news reader was claiming that Kennedy knew defeat was looming (yeah, right) and bailed out.
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Darrius
February 12, 2010 11:52 AM
Folks, he simply needs time to establish residency in Massachusetts in time to run for Teddy's old seat in 2012. Why do you think Martha Coakely(spelling?) did NOT have the backing of the Democratic political powers in the special election? Did you think that Scott Brown honestly beat the Massachusetts political machine at its full force? Of course he didn't, the MA powers wanted Coakely to lose, because they wanted someone else in 2012.
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midnight rambler
February 12, 2010 12:50 PM in reply to Darrius
"Didn't have the backing of the powers"???? She was the pre-anointed candidate of the political powers, that's why she lost! Capuano probably would have won.
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Darrius
February 12, 2010 3:26 PM in reply to midnight rambler
You still miss the point. It wasn't about helping or hurting Coakley or Capauno, it was about making a way for Kennedy.
If you want to put Pat Kennedy in the seat in 2012, then you need for the Democrat running in 2010 to lose. That way Kennedy can run for the spot in 2012 against the incumbent Republican.
If a Democrat wins in 2010, then in 2012 that person would an incumbent Democrat running for re-election in Massachusetts. It would mean a bloody primary that would be very difficult for Kennedy to win.
If Capauno would have probably beaten the Republican ,then it would be better for the Kennedy family to see Capauno lose the primary so that the weaker Coakley could lose the special election.
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midnight rambler
February 12, 2010 9:35 PM in reply to Darrius
GMAFB. Joe Kennedy, a genuinely good and passionate politician, didn't want to run. What makes you think dopey Patrick is getting prepped?
You're into Alex Jones territory here.
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