Patrick Kennedy will not seek re-election

Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) issued a brief two-minute video, explaining why he will not seek re-election in 2010.

Patrick’s eight terms in the House were spotted with substance abuse problems. While the people of Rhode Island were quite forgiving to say the least, such generosity from the people may not have been forthcoming this time around. 

From Hot Air:

John Loughlin is not named in the poll, but he may have fared far better than the elected officials who were.

Nearly 6 in 10 registered voters in the First Congressional District would consider another candidate or vote to replace Loughlin’s opponent, U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, according to a WPRI-TV, Channel 12 survey released Thursday night.

The poll offers a snapshot of an abysmal political climate for Democrats that could present serious problems for the eight-term incumbent Kennedy, according to pollster Joseph Fleming.

“It looks like it could be a very competitive race, which we haven’t seen in many years,” Fleming said, noting that Election Day is still nine months away. “I think people, right now, are really looking at who’s in office, and they’re considering somebody else.”

No wonder Patrick got all testy about Scott Brown the other day. It wasn’t so much that Brown replaced his father in the Senate, it is because Brown’s victory gave Rhode Island voters a bright idea.

Come 2011 Congress will be a Kennedy free zone for the first time since 1962. Now that is a change I can believe in!

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Politico

Via: Hot Air