Patrick Kennedy will not run for re-election - wants to focus on family
Posted on Friday, February 12, 2010 at 05:03 AM
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Rep. Patrick Kennedy had decided not to run for re-election, ending the Kennedy legacy in the Senate and House after almost 60 years.
Kennedy says he wants to spend time building a family instead of building a life in politics.
Kennedy, who is 42, has never married and has never had children.
“It’s pretty simple in this respect: I went through something that caused me a great deal of soul searching and self-reflection,” Kennedy said. “Right now, a personal life is of greater value. Emotional connections that are real and loving and personal just trump everything else.”
He will announce on Sunday night that he has decided not to seek re-election, saying his life is "taking a new direction" since his father died.
The Rhode Island Democrat recorded a message for a Rhode Island television program on Sunday night.
"Now having spent two decades in politics, my life is taking a new direction, and I will not be a candidate for re-election this year," Kennedy says.
Kennedy was in a tough race against a well-financed Republican opponent, but the eight-term congressman was still expected to win. He spoke about his father's death in his remarks for Sunday.
"Illness took the life of my most-cherished mentor and confidante, my ultimate source of spirit and strength," he said, while a black-and-white photo of him as a boy sailing with his father appeared on the screen. "From the countless lives he lifted, to the American promise he helped shape, my father taught me that politics at its very core was about serving others."
Kennedy thanked the voters of his district for supporting him through episodes of alcoholic behavior and mental breakdowns.
"When I made missteps or suffered setbacks, you responded not with contempt, but compassion," he said. "Thank you for all the times you lifted me up, pushed me forward."
The Rhode Island Democrat recorded a message for a Rhode Island television program on Sunday night.
"Now having spent two decades in politics, my life is taking a new direction, and I will not be a candidate for re-election this year," Kennedy says.
Kennedy was in a tough race against a well-financed Republican opponent, but the eight-term congressman was still expected to win. He spoke about his father's death in his remarks for Sunday.
"Illness took the life of my most-cherished mentor and confidante, my ultimate source of spirit and strength," he said, while a black-and-white photo of him as a boy sailing with his father appeared on the screen. "From the countless lives he lifted, to the American promise he helped shape, my father taught me that politics at its very core was about serving others."
Kennedy thanked the voters of his district for supporting him through episodes of alcoholic behavior and mental breakdowns.
"When I made missteps or suffered setbacks, you responded not with contempt, but compassion," he said. "Thank you for all the times you lifted me up, pushed me forward."
23 Comments
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chesapeake | Feb 13, 2010, 08:46 AM EST
It is always better to go out on top... don't risk being rejected. This way, not everyone would consider him to be a loser.
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willieboy | Feb 12, 2010, 07:38 PM EST
THERE IS A GOD.
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kickstar | Feb 12, 2010, 05:25 PM EST
Well lets see if the republicans help out the illegal Irish, Anyone who would claim allegiance to a party that accepts membership from certified Lunatics like G W Bush and Sarah Palin has not much happening between the ears except Wax.
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pflynn70 | Feb 12, 2010, 05:10 PM EST
I guess this is one of his smartest moves since becoming a politician,gosh, no more Kennedy's in Washington, There is hope yet.Yes God is alive Virginia, and he continues to hear our prayers.
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djsharon | Feb 12, 2010, 04:46 PM EST
I belive in term limits, so 20 years is more than enough. 42 and single ?? Cop-out.
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McNamara31 | Feb 12, 2010, 03:44 PM EST
2BorNot2B The palm-reader-in-chief quit half way through her elected term, for book deals, Fox News and of course $$$$$$. Kennedy announced he won't run for re election. Huge Difference. You guys will try to spin anything.
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rcrdskpr@aol.com | Feb 12, 2010, 03:16 PM EST
patrick kennedy, dont let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.
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Spiritranger | Feb 12, 2010, 02:42 PM EST
Always wiser to quit before you get fired.
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2BorNot2B | Feb 12, 2010, 02:30 PM EST
And they call Palin 'a quitter'? Guess Patty-boy got a modicum of good sense by quitting before being unceremoniously booted out! Buh-bye to one more Kennedy.. and good riddance!
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JosephOCasey | Feb 12, 2010, 01:41 PM EST
Kickstar said"I wish the republicans all the best in this election because you Aholes don't deserve a Kennedy". I agree that we don't deserve a Kennedy. Thanks for finally admitting it. If it takes being called an Ahole by a genius like you to get rid of them, we are more than happy to accept it.
Not quite as tolerant as the Lefties claim to be.
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patrickesq | Feb 12, 2010, 12:24 PM EST
The U.S. ,and the world, needs more leaders like the Kennedys who cared more about the people they served than political games and sslf promotion, that is all too common in today's political world.
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kickstar | Feb 12, 2010, 12:01 PM EST
I wish the republicans all the best in this election because you Aholes don't deserve a Kennedy..
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McNamara31 | Feb 12, 2010, 11:55 AM EST
Patrick Kennedy All the Best!
History will tell you're part of a great legacy that changed America. Some of us remember that.
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JOSIESAR | Feb 12, 2010, 10:45 AM EST
YAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOODBY KENNEDYS!!!!!!!!!!! NOW MAYBE A REAL PERSON CAN REPRESENT HIS PEOPLE!
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