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Now Patrick Kennedy seat is in trouble

PATRICK ROBERTS,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Saturday, January 23, 2010, 8:03 AM

Updated Saturday, January 23, 2010, 8:15 AM

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22 Comments

Patrick Kennedy has been elected eight times but in recent months has had some battles.

Just a few days after Democrats lost Ted Kennedy's old senate seat Republicans in nearby Rhode Island think they can defeat Congressman Patrick Kennedy, Teddy's son.

His opponent, John Loughlin, a state representative, has already raised more money than any candidate before him who opposed Kennedy.

GOP Chairman Giovanni Cicione said on Wednesday that what happened to Martha Coakley could happen to Patrick Kennedy too.

"In this cycle, with a good candidate like we have with John Loughlin, the national scene shifting away from Kennedy-type politics, and independent voters looking for options, I think he's incredibly vulnerable," Cicione said.

Loughlin said the economy has to be the key issue "We need to put the money back into the hands of Rhode Islanders," he said.

Patrick Kennedy has been elected eight times but in recent months faced a tough battle with the Catholic Bishop of Rhode Island Thomas Tobin who ordered him not to receive communion because of his stance on abortion rights.

Kennedy has also had a troubled history with drugs and alcohol and admitted he was bipolar. Rumors abound that some of the successful team that led Scott Brown to victory in Massachusetts are headed to Rhode Island to take part in the Kennedy race. But Bill Lynch, chairman of the state Democratic Party, said personal problems will not affect Kennedy.

"The people in that district know him. They trust him," Lynch said. "They're aware of the problems he's had. He's dealt with that in a candid way."

Loughlin said on Wednesday that he had raised $230,000. As of December 31 Kennedy had raised $544,885 but if the race is close the national Republican and Democratic committees are expected to get involved.

Nster.com

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Kabala0957 | Feb 06, 2010, 06:46 PM EST

Time to give this Kennedy the boot, he been a terrible example of what is wrong with American government.

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Christisall | Jan 29, 2010, 10:37 AM EST

Liberal-speak is pure garbage and nonsense. It is a good thing Ted is gone, gone, gone. We are still stuck with the rest of them though and Patrick is as bad if not worse than ted.

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Christisall | Jan 29, 2010, 10:36 AM EST

to ciarri: how angry thy be! Cool it, dude. It is democrat libs who suck, to use your very own word. They lack values and morals and cannot think for themselves; that is why they want the govt to take over everything. Regarding what you said about Teddy's grave: it is an appropriate piss place since he was no damn good--a drunk, a killer, an infidel to his wife (no wonder she drank to wake up to that bloke every day). However, you are right about sending our youth to their maimings and deaths in war; I too would like to see our arrogant politicians in both parties send their kids to die and be maimed before the salt of the earth youngsters.

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IrishAndProud | Jan 26, 2010, 05:26 PM EST

ciarrai: You do not have to be liberal to be a 'real' Irish person. I'm afraid you'll not find much support for such hare-brained remarks, around here.

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DixieIrish | Jan 26, 2010, 03:24 PM EST

The disappearance of the Kennedy clan from the public stage will not be missed. They have not well represented their ancestry, who suffered and died for the faith rather than surrender it, selling it for a bowl of porridge, while hypocritically playing upon it for the vote!

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JuanPablo | Jan 25, 2010, 10:54 PM EST

RE: (Democrat) Patrick Kennedy (Democrat-RI). BYE-BYE, and Good Riddance, to that Cafeteria Catholic, the Kennedy trust fund kid. BTW, does anyone think that HE is paying his 'fair share' in taxes?

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killowen | Jan 25, 2010, 07:31 PM EST

A knighting we will go. Waltzing the paddies around. Mitchell and Ted Kennedy received their knighthood for the con ................ That peace agreement was/is a joke - it saved lives that we can be thankful of. England's planted ones are serving their benefactor loyally and will for ever more to ensure that an entity called Ireland remains to satisfy UK's symbolisms ie,. the harp - on flags/standards, emblems and emblazoned on carvings across commonwealth buildings, worldwide. A United Ireland and the removal of the equivalent of the hammer and sickle from those of Soviet countries would diminish Saxons everywhere.

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JoeAnnie | Jan 25, 2010, 07:07 PM EST

GO R.I. beat the sox's off of Patrick Kennedy

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phoenixnurse | Jan 25, 2010, 07:03 PM EST

Wise up, learn how to spell...Bush got the same Intelligence Reports as everyone else and the Congress & Senate approved everything he did, he even addressed the UN prior to war! We've been safe for eight years as a result... Your ignorance is very telling...Are you a natural born American Citizen, A veteran or just one of these Irish immigrants who came here for the wrong reasons? Go back to your country where life should be better and Stop bashing MY Country and our Goverment...Blaming bus is nothing but a COWARDS way out..do some research before you shoot your mouth off and try drinking Milk to clear your brain! Kennedy was no angel by any means..stop the worship of the Kennedys...they're just people not saints.

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ciarrai | Jan 25, 2010, 06:10 PM EST

Wally1727: You suck and your conservative ilk suck. What do you think about that? You and Sean Hannity (another fake Irishman and America hater) ought to got to Iran and hang out with some of your rigid, one-size-fits-all reactionary's. Ted Kennedy was wrong in the Kopechne death. How about your boy, George Bush, he ought to be in jail for war crimes for all of our guys he got killed and maimed in his unnecessary war. Cheney and Bush ought to be made to get on a plane and go put their asses on the line rather than all the kids that they sent to slaughter to assuage their egos. Don't piss on Teddy's grave when George is out at Dallas Cowboy games like nothing ever happened.

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Wally1727 | Jan 25, 2010, 02:50 PM EST

I think its about time another Kennedy bit the dust. I am I.C. but I had enough of his uncle to last a life time. I would have rather Ted did his 25 years in prison for Mary-Jo than as an elected official spewing his liberal nonsense.

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botfeeder | Jan 25, 2010, 01:48 PM EST

I believe in opportunity for the mentally retarded, but that needs to be tempered with reason. It is absurd for someone of Patrick Kennedy's intellect to be serving in Congress.

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FastEddy | Jan 25, 2010, 12:32 PM EST

Well, at least He is Irish ...

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PatrickLee | Jan 25, 2010, 11:33 AM EST

Get the Kennedy's out of politics and back in the bar.

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Christisall | Jan 25, 2010, 11:00 AM EST

I hope patrick k. reads these things. The kennedys are nothing anyone needs.

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