Democrats to Nominate Kennedy for Re-Election (... and the Saga of "Patches" Continues...!)

ABC6.News ^ | 05/08/2006 | AP

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

Rhode Island Democrats are expected to endorse Representative Patrick Kennedy for re-election when they meet tonight in West Warwick.

Party members will endorse candidates for Congress and the state's top jobs -- governor, secretary of state, general treasurer and attorney general.

Kennedy has checked himself into the Mayo Clinic for treatment for addiction to prescription drugs following a Thursday car accident in Washington. He says he can't remember driving to Capitol Hill or crashing his car.

Kennedy's doctors say he was taking Phenergan for stomach and intestinal problems and Ambien, a commonly prescribed sleeping medication. Police say he appeared intoxicated.

[Peach]

So Rhode Island will have their drunk and drug addict, much the way Massachusetts has their drunk and murderer. And if Patches keeps this up, he will soon be joining his father in the murderer column. Sadly.

[noobiangod]

Hey why not? If a drunken murderer can be elected, why not a pill popping dopehead?

[topher]

After all, since he is a Democrat, he is to be pitied...

Now if this was a Republican, there would be such an outrage and stinging attacks from the media!!!

Media lapdogs are ready to pour on the "poor millionaire Patrick Kennedy" routine...

[theDentist]

"Patrick is sorry he cannot be here tonight to thank you for this endorsement, but we do have word he is on Step 3 and making great strides."

[Cicero]

It's the famed Kennedy mystique.

[noobiangod]

Maybe in his drug induced haze he will claim his daddy molested him as a child to garner media sympathy.

[LYSandra]

Gee is anyone concerned about this kid's health at all or just having continue as he has?! Seems to me as tho he should step down and get his life in order and return to politics down the road after he has battled drugs/alcohol. Kennedy's never seem to learn do they?! They just keep repeating the pattern! You would think Papa Splash wouldn't want him to kill someone like he did!

[sgtbono2002]

Using the insane logic of democrats, his recent run ins with the police and drugs is only more reason to back this poor ptitful misguided man. Especially now that everyone is picking on him.

their logic ,not mine.

[mtbopfuyn]

But will he be wearing a backless white gown when he gives his speech?

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

"... it's... it's because I'm a black lesbian, isn't it...?"

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Its for the children...

[TexasCajun]

Criminal and Obscene behavior is a badge of honor for liberal democrats.

[Mr. Jazzy]

Did anyone, ANYWHERE really think this would end with his disgrace and forfeiture of office?


C'mon!!!

[gidget7]

This is crazy, and so are the Dems. I have known many people, one personally, who were suffering from "Bipolar Disorder", and I know of all the different ways it effects people who do. NO WAY, now that he has admitted to suffering from the disorder, he should be allowed to hold office.

It's not a matter of discrimination, it's a matter of being "capable" of sound judgment while in office. There is no way to predict that. Sorry, but that should disqualify him, EVEN IF the addiction issue and the "driving record" didn't. (Which it should)

[Publius6961]

Rhode Island Democrats are expected to endorse Representative Patrick Kennedy for re-election when they meet tonight in West Warwick.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha !

I love it. You can't make up stuff like this. A few million more Kennedy $s down the drain...

[BenLurkin]

Amazing.

They truly have NO shame.

[jdm]

"Where'd you put my Ambien, beeeeyotch?!?!?!"

"No, like seriously, I need some for my drive later."

[P-40]

he should step down and get his life in order

For his own health, he should. A few weeks in a treatment center is not going to do anything beyond giving him a temporary break from abusing drugs.

[gidget7]

LOL laughing with you, but at the same time, were this a Republican, the DemoRats would be after them to resign, and because Republicans have the annoying trait (ethics, not to mention character and values) the person would resign.

[KarlInOhio]

A few million more Kennedy $s down the drain...

It's only down the drain if he loses. Do the Republicans have anyone to run against him?

[fatnotlazy]

Of course not. Amazing how the Kennedys can get away with this -- anyone else would be gone from the politican scene.

[fatnotlazy]

politican = political

Sorry folks.

[reagan_fanatic]

I would mock the voters of Rhode Island for their idiocy in electing these dolts over and over, but then I live in state of Illinois, so ...

[Little Bill]

He will still win with at least 55% of the vote, this is Rhode Island we are talking about.

[DaveMSmith]

Step 3

Nope, still in detox. And with his bi-polar, one can only imagine where his head is at.

[gidget7]

But everyone is ignoring the fact that he admitted initially to suffering from Bipolar disorder, and that he is addicted to pain pills. Ambian isn't a pain med, what pain med? What is the pain med for??

Drinking or taking any meds that aren't Lithium or other such, is very very dangerous for someone with an existing chemical imbalance, which is what Bipolar is.

Once I heard that come out in the media, and not since. The media is ignoring it now, because they KNOW it disqualifies him from holding office.

[LRS]

How many times has he been previously? How long has he had problems? I.e.- it is obvious to any straight thinking person that this guy needs serious help, and has no business being even being a dog catcher. It isn't so obvious to those who can't think straight...

[toddlintown]

Let's give the poor "kid" another chance, folks. *Gag!*

[gidget7]

Yeah I know, and you and I, among others, know what it's like, from seeing his daddy and family in general continue to get elected in our state! home state!!

[P-40]

is very very dangerous for someone with an existing chemical imbalance

It sounds like he is into all sorts of self-destructive behavior. I don't know what all meds he was taking, but the booze was surely not helping the depression...and taking drugs with alcohol...not good at all.

[SENTINEL]

Racist democrats...Abandon poor little Cynthia McKinney to the wolves, but stand in line for Kennedy !

Snicker...

[Boston Blackie]

...and to think a judge appointed Patches as his mothers caretaker because of her addiction to alcohol.

[Ax]

Patches Kennedy, "The ProviDUNCE Pantload."

[theDentist]

They've got him on the fast track.... he'll complete 4-10 by Wednesday afternoon, and knock off 11 and 12 before the private jet touches down at Dulles.

[oldironsides]

Just think, Patrick Kennedy votes on bills and makes decisions for all Americans. It really makes me sick. Rhode Island Democrats are disgusting to give a drug addict and liar a seat in congress.

[DaveMSmith]

This is crazy, and so are the Dems. I have known many people, one personally, who were suffering from "Bipolar Disorder", and I know of all the different ways it effects people who do. NO WAY, now that he has admitted to suffering from the disorder, he should be allowed to hold office.

I don't think bi-polar would disqualify anyone from holding office if they have a solid psychitriatric support system behind them - monitoring by a good psychiatrist including access to all MDs, good therapist and the right combination of meds CAN work out.

In Kennedy's case tho, he was clearly self medicating and probably not taking meds for his bi-polar at all. He's at a crisis point right now and it may take months to find a regimen that works... he may never find it.

[susannah59]

I don't know how he could've been taking both Phenergan and Ambien and been functioning at all, unless he's built up tolerance. I've taken both- separately, not together, and not with alcohol- on rare occasions, and can't stay vertical. In fact I got very drunk on Ambien once (didn't get right into bed after taking it) and couldn't sucessfully navigate my way from my bathroom to my bedroom. Both together would probably put me to sleep permanently.

[socialismisinsidious]

He isn't a kid...he is something like 38 years old. It should be his responsibility to step down, but he won't...b/c there is too much power and money and too many liberal bleeding heart suckers that will reelect him. Remember Mayor Marion Barry?

[bigj00]

Just goes to prove how completely SPINELESS republicans are. They should be all over him to resign and should be treating him the way the dems treat republicans.

But, as always the republicans WUSS OUT and let them get away with everything. I guess they are just following bush's lead, tough overseas and wimpy here.

I'm waiting for 1 TRUE REPUBLICAN to stand up and lead on this and immigration and taxes and border security and CHINA and iran and... Hey, Wanna be president, take the lead on JUST 1 of those issues and you'll get my vote. Not you mccain, you're a rino.

I think I'm in for a VERY LONG WAIT.

[Joe Boucher]

Hey folks in Rhode Island, thanks. Being from Florida and all the crap we've had to go through in politics the last many years I for one appreciate you guys taking the lead in stupid politics. At least for a while.

[bigj00]

Drunks need reps to.

[MadIvan]

A Republic can also be called "deliberative government". It's difficult to see how such a system can be maintained when its representatives, by their own admission, have problems deliberating.

Regards, Ivan

[P-40]

unless he's built up tolerance.

That would not surprise me at all. He should thank his lucky stars he got busted. When you start abusing that sort of stuff you don't tend to live long...if you are lucky.

[Hoodat]

but we do have word he is on Step 3 and making great strides

Step 3? He doesn't have the foggiest idea about Step 1 yet. (Do the words 'powerless' and 'unmanageable' ring a bell, Mr. Kennedy?)

[monkapotamus]

[Cowboy Bob]

How did Patches Kennedy get the nickname "Patches?"

[AmericanChef]

So - where's the surprise? Rats are stupid whether they live in Rhode Island or Texas. They'll throw a big party for Patrick - BYOB.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

I've always assumed it was in sarcastic reference to the classic Clarence Carter song of the same name, which included the choral refrain:

He said, "Patches,

I'm dependin' on you, son,

To pull the family through;

My son, it's all left up to you."

Don't quote me on that, however. :)

[Political Junkie Too]

How did Patches Kennedy get the nickname "Patches?"

From the song? Here's a link that supposedly answers it.

-PJ