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Shock poll shows Rhode Island Rep. Patrick Kennedy in trouble

By
PATRICK ROBERTS,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer
Published Friday, February 5, 2010, 8:00 AM
Updated Friday, February 5, 2010, 8:16 AM

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A shock poll shows Rhode Island Rep. Patrick Kennedy in trouble


A new poll in Rhode Island shows deep problems for Patrick Kennedy, son of Ted, who is an eight term incumbent.

The poll, by WPRI TV station, showed only 35 per cent of voters in his district would vote to re-elect him, while he has a 56 per cent unfavorable rating.

Kennedy also faces a well-financed Republican challenger for the first time in the shape of State Rep. John Loughlin, who announced his campaign yesterday

This is the best-financed challenger he’s faced since the first time he ran, and his favorability numbers are way down.

“Congressman Kennedy could have a very competitive race,” said WPRI-12 pollster Joe Fleming.

Laughlin came out guns firing against the beleaguered Kennedy.

 "We’ve got a congressman who’s not connecting with voters or the people. He’s pushing policies that are diametrically opposed with needs of people - to get the economy going and create jobs. We can’t afford it anymore.”

Loughlin, who is a 50-year-old National Guardsman, has hired key personnel Eric Fehrnstrom and Peter Flaherty from the Scott Brown campaign to help in his race. The pair was among Brown’s top consultants.

Tim Grilo, chairman of Rhode Island’s Democratic Party, said he is still very confident.

“I expect the voters will send Congressman Kennedy back to Washington to represent them with the same passion and experience he’s brought to the job over the last eight terms,” he said.

Kennedy has admitted to being bipolar, and has fought with the Rhode Island bishop Thomas Tobin over his abortion stance.

Kennedy’s financial standing is a lot better, as he raised $756,000 for the campaign last year.

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17 Comments

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Sungold | Feb 12, 2010, 03:41 AM EST
Rep. Patrick Kennedy announced Thursday evening that he would not be seeking re-election. I guess he saw the handwriting on the wall.

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killowen | Feb 06, 2010, 05:17 PM EST
A Kennedy knighting crowned the family's run. Honor given for Ted's effort to protect England's interests when boys accidently or otherwise zoomed in on London Fin dist. which scared the bejabus out of them. Back then a $100 got one a trip to London and a car for a week to drive about and then Clinton stepped in, inviting the much maligned lead fellow to to WH - all done to save mother and to continue with business as usual. It all came to pass. Now we learn that Irish hero Dev Valera was England's greatest spy. Look for publication on sale in US in 2010.

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Ruler4You | Feb 06, 2010, 01:13 PM EST
You don't suppose that people are seeing the Kennedy dynasty goals of progressive socialism for what they are do you? Naw, people are fools, just like the Kennedy's have always believed, right? John gave the family name the credibility that has lasted all these years, the one that same family has used to promote progressive socialist goals. John and Americans have been hijacked by his image by his own family. We've been suckered. It's time to flush the Kennedy's from our lives.

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newcanaan | Feb 06, 2010, 07:39 AM EST
Mr Roberts if you took your head out of Obamas butt you would not be shocked.

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Spiritranger | Feb 06, 2010, 01:06 AM EST
Brother McNamara, you are thinking with your heart but we need your Irish brain. Bobbie was the last great one -- over 40 years ago!!! Teddy was always undermining America once he jumped on the anti-war bandwagon with John Kerry, etc. downhill ever since. There is no royalty in America, neither Kennedy nor anyone else. What Irish immigrant story isn't great? My ancestors made it without climbing on the back of the brethren to claim a divine right. Patrick should go... And yes, the people will decide.

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borefield | Feb 05, 2010, 09:03 PM EST
Get over it, the Kennedys are DONE, TG

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McNamara31 | Feb 05, 2010, 08:03 PM EST
Spiritranger Marxist,globalists? The people will decide the political future of Patrick Kennedy,however you have a short memory.Two Kennedy brothers died in service to this country and for many of us this family's journey from poor Irish immigrants to the presidency is a source of pride no matter how you try to belittle them.

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IrishAndProud | Feb 05, 2010, 07:44 PM EST
Jeez. Kennedy has a FIFTY-SIX percent unfavorable rating...with only THIRTY-FIVE percent saying they'd re-elect him...and the most you can get out of this pollster is, “Congressman Kennedy COULD have a very competitive race (emphasis mine)?" My gosh. A conservative (an Irishman, too, in this case) could be a THOUSAND points ahead of the liberal, and the libs would say he's 'slightly ahead.' That plus the so-called 'shock' of the poll, itself...I know libs are in a continuous state of denial about certain things, but are they truly in this DEEP a coma, about their world as it is? Or, as I suspect is the case often enough, are they fully aware of the pickle they're in, but just deny so to spite the other side?

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Spiritranger | Feb 05, 2010, 01:38 PM EST
The Kennedy's have counted on the Irish and the Catholic Sheep to carry their water for them for far too long. Their marxist, globalist anti-religous "values" don't reflect the values of those they claim to represent. They never were working class. Their binge drinking, womanizing liberalism is a disgrace to the race. Good bye and good riddance. God have mercy on your souls, all of you.

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Tony Barry | Feb 05, 2010, 01:14 PM EST
This is NOT a shock...wake up Mr. ROBERTS...It's time for Camelot to just fade away...the sooner the better.

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michaelvona | Feb 05, 2010, 12:52 PM EST
I think people are waking up, and letting the "dream" die.

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FastEddy | Feb 05, 2010, 12:06 PM EST
Not really much of a shock. Unemployment in Rhode Island is the highest or the original 13 colonies, officially around 12%, unofficially more like 20%. "Its the economy, you stupid progressives!" This Kennedy does not have a claim on a "Kennedy seat". He will go by the wayside and an economic conservative will take "his seat". Camelot is long dead and gone.

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Searlit | Feb 05, 2010, 11:19 AM EST
The cost of providing programs that help our own citizens is a drop in the bucket compared to what republicans spent on the war in Iraq. They took the funds off budget to make it appear that they weren't spending that much. That war was not necessary, as Bin Laden was in Afghanistan. We need programs to help working class Americans, so that they can start to earn better money and raise their standard of living. This is what democrats believe and they believe in tax breaks for small businesses. Republicans seem to support only wars and wall street.

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Sectionhand | Feb 05, 2010, 10:44 AM EST
Maybe the Rhode Island voters are wising up like those in Massachusetts !

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shidoobe | Feb 05, 2010, 10:14 AM EST
I love my Irish heritage but REALLY getting tired of hearing about the Kennedy's!

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