New Republic Speculates Patrick Kennedy Could Grow Into Great Political Leader

NewsBusters ^ | August 28, 2009 | P.J. Gladnick

[PJ-Comix]

When one first looks at this article in The New Republic speculating about if Ted Kennedy's son, Patrick Kennedy, could grow into a great political leader, you wouldn't be blamed for thinking it was a satirical story written by either Scott Ott or some other humor columnist. However the name of the author is Jason Zengerle and he is being dead serious which actually makes it funnier than any intentionally satirical story could be. What makes Zengerle's article especially funny is that he provides absolutely no proof that Patrick Kennedy displays the slightest bit of political leadership. In fact, Zengerle lays out reasons why Patrick Kennedy, who is in and out of rehab, has dismal political abilities but somehow concludes he could grow into greatness:

Of all the politicians I’ve encountered in the course of doing my job, there have been some that I’ve admired and some that I’ve loathed. But there’s only one politician I’ve ever pitied, and that’s Rhode Island Congressman Patrick Kennedy.

[PJ-Comix]

I'm angry at Jason Zengerle for beating me to the punch. I was actually thinking of writing a humor story about Patrick Kennedy lifting up the magic torch of political leadership.

[Perdogg]

he’s my age and looks 10 times older.

[mainepatsfan]

Holy crap they are even more disconnected from reality than I thought.

[PJ-Comix]

PING!

[Tijeras_Slim]

Holy crap they are even more disconnected from reality than I thought.

They're taking the same stuff he is.

[Cyropaedia]

How could anyone pity Patrick Kennedy...??

PK deserves the contempt that he has received.

[Candor7]

New Republic Speculates Patrick Kennedy Could Grow Into Great Political Leader>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

You mean Massachussetts is looking for another false noble upon whom to cast its faith?

Maybe they will luck out this time and get sommeone decent, but excuse my cynicism.

In aligning themselves with Obamageddon, the pompous Kennedies are far beyond any redemption at all, and one shudders to think that their patriarch , Joseph Kennedy , the bootlegger,though as US Ambassador to London that the national socialists of Germany were the best thing that ever happened.Theodore Roosevelt was forced to recall him. But with relunctance of course. Theo loved the nazis too , until he saw a way to redeem the US economy via warfare in aid of his Commie brothers in Russia.

The whole lot of the dems today are hell on wheels at this point, just like Kennedy and Roosevelt were before them. Hopey-Changey, Obamageddon. You gotta love it or leave it.

[PJ-Comix]

Theodore Roosevelt was forced to recall him.

Um...Make that Franklin.

[La Lydia]

I read the New Republic piece. The only place this Kennedy could lead anyone is off a cliff.

[Da Coyote]

My Gawd, what do we have to do to get rid of these Kenne-zombies?

Wouldn’t be bad if any of them had room-temp IQ.

And think of the Kennedy dollars wasted in buying this clown a degree, helping him cheat through college, covering up his crimes, and then buying him a senate seat?

[AU72]

“Patches” Kennedy couldn’t lead a Group Intervention.

[Harley]

Leadership attributes. The only way anyone would follow Patches is out of sheer curiosity.

[CAluvdubya]

No matter how hard they try, there is no more Camelot. They’re all dead and the offspring are more messed up than the originals.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

I honestly don’t think he has much chance of being elected from Massachusetts. Even the State of Rhode Island and the Providence Plantations can’t be that much of a basket case.

[chimera]

Oh, great, what kind of “leader” is that, leading the way into rehab programs? I mean, the guy is the poster boy for substance abuse. It’s already an indictment of the utterly depraved political system of this country that this guy could anywhere near the Capitol. Now they want him as a “leader”?

[indylindy]

Isn’t this nitwit a drug addict and drunk? Well, he should fit right in as the new prince of Shamalot.

[Senator John Blutarski]

indylindy wrote: “Shamalot”

..... Perfect.

[basil]

It hard for me to understand the "Kennedy Mystique"--it always has been. As far as I can see from way back, the men are skirt-chasing drunken or drugged out a-holes, and their wives are apparently happy to put up with it. ---And Massachusetts kept voting them into office.....

Through the years, I began to wonder if the elections in that state weren't fixed.

I, for one, am thrilled that we don't have to put up with them any more. (Chris Dodd isn't part of a dynasty, is he?)

[Senator John Blutarski]

..... Patrick Kennedy would have trouble making a career as a fast-food employee. The story behind his path to a seat as a member of the House of Representatives from RI is a perfect example of the astounding arrogance, cynicism, and venality of the Kennedy political machine.

[Hacklehead]

Patrick Kennedy is the Fredo Corleone of the Kennedy family. The thought that this marginally retarded whacko could be a leader is based on the leftist tendency to treat their heros like royalty where political influence is inherited by their kids. Kim jong il is a good example.

[Max_850]

Sure he is a drug addict and a drunk. Those are two of the primary attributes of a Kennedy and a Great (Liberal)Political leader.

But before we get ahead of ourselves on passing the torch to him, he really needs to prove himself.

1. He hasn't raped any girls/women yet (Skakel, Smith)

2. He hasn't killed any women yet by watching them drown.

3. I haven't heard if he can make a proper waitress sandwich yet.

This young politician has so much to learn before he can be a great leader....

[Candor7]

Sorry, I am so pished about whats happening I got them mixed up.Thanks for your correction. And I apologize for my faux pas.

[STONEWALLS]

...I can’t keep these Kennedys straight....is he the one who was screwing the babysitter, or the Spring Break rapist, or the one who drunkenly crashed into the U.S. Capital?

[indylindy]

hahaha! That one gave me my first big laugh o’the day.

[kenmcg]

Just another drunk stumble bum Kennedy, who never worked a day in his life.

[tioga]

let me give it a go....michael, robert’s son, had the affair with the babysitter; william kennedy smith, jean’s son, was the alleged easter rapist after a drunken night with uncle ted; and patrick was DWI in Washington and went back into rehab.....they do uncle ted proud! what a bunch!

[Blue Jays]

The time he crashed that aging Ford Mustang into the concrete barrier at 3:00 a.m. and stumbled around police saying, "But offishers, I haf to get to my office to help my con-con-constiuuenz!" was priceless.
He blamed it on being tired or something. Classic.

Too bad for him.
His old ride would have been eligible for that moronic Cash-for-Clunkers nonsense.

[evets]

Thanks to Freeper 'dead' for many many great pics!

Dem. Rep. Patrick Kennedy fell off the wagon again. (6/12/9)

[tioga]

yes, patrick is teddy’s son.......lest I forget.

[AmericanVictory]

Can anyone actually point to “great leadership” by any Kennedy?

[STONEWALLS]

thanks BlueJays....but there were other that I forgot mention...the one who felt entitled to ski on a closed slope and fatally crashed into a tree.....and the one who lacked experiance in small plane instrument flying but did it anyway....and the one who brained a neighbor with a golf club.

[penelopesire]

ROTFLOL!!

[ladyjane]

You left out the Skakel kid who murdered the teenaged next door neighbor. He beat her with his mother’s golf club. And rumor in Boston was that Michael was not only sleeping with the 14 year old babysitter but also the girl’s mother.

[tioga]

someone needs to write a book about all the shameful things the kennedys have done....it would be a best seller.

[tioga]

yep, the a book on kennedy scandals would need LOTS of chapters to get it all in.........I remember that murdercase.....and I thought the fourteen year old was bad enough......was it a threesome? good grief.

[rockrr]

Even before Ted Kennedy passed away, there was speculation that there was no one in the next generation of Kennedys to carry on the family’s singular political torch. "I think it's over," Ben Bradlee, the former Washington Post editor and a close friend of JFK, told his paper earlier this month. "I don't think there are any left.”

Well I THANK GOD for that!

[dead]

Even before Ted Kennedy passed away, there was speculation that there was no one in the next generation of Kennedys to carry on the family’s singular political torch. "I think it's over," Ben Bradlee, the former Washington Post editor and a close friend of JFK, told his paper earlier this month. "I don't think there are any left.”

Maybe Tito Kennedy or LaToya Kennedy can step up.

[Blue Jays]

The high-speed death on the slopes was a particularly good one...they were playing "football" tossing a frozen water bottle...while skiing. It's a miracle an innocent wasn't hurt or killed with their idiocy.

[Blue Jays]

Jeez, there seems to be a never-ending supply of ‘em! ;-)

[Cheburashka]

Yes. Give credit where credit is due.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=9665752

A salute to Teddy's older brother.

[driftless2]

"off a cliff"

More like off a bridge.

[AmericanVictory]

You are right. I forgot about young Joe. He was the one you can admire and respect. In encounters I should add I have found that the Shrivers have a lot mre class than their relatives.

[SunkenCiv]

Zengerle lays out reasons why Patrick Kennedy, who is in and out of rehab, has dismal political abilities but somehow concludes he could grow into greatness

[Atlantian]

Here’s another one. Joe, Robert Kennedy’s oldest son, was driving a jeep recklessly, a girl fell out and became permanently paralyzed.

[Wally_Kalbacken]

I dunno. Mentally ill with a history of proven chemical dependency - the lad has potential!

[dfwgator]

Can’t drive
Can’t fly
Can’t ski
Can’t skipper a boat.

Yet, the Kennedy’s think they know what’s best for us.

[Atlantian]

And another son of Robert Kennedy died from a drug overdose.