Patrick Kennedy Decides To Retire
By Rahul, Gaea News NetworkFriday, February 12, 2010
WASHINGTON (GaeaTimes.com)- Democratic Representative Patrick Kennedy would not be seeking re-election and would be formally announcing his retirement. The message has already been taped and is scheduled to be aired this weekend. The departure of the Rhode Island Democrat would mean that the elected office would be without a member of the Kennedy family for the first time in 50 years. Patrick Kennedy’s decision to not seek re-election comes on the heels of the demise of his father Senator Edward Kennedy, who passed away last August after serving 47 years in office.
While announcing his decision to retire, the 42 year old politician revealed in the video message that he took the decision of not seeking re-election this year, as his life had taken ‘a new direction’. At the same time, Patrick Kennedy also thanked the Rhode Island voters for the immense support that they had showed since he took charge of the office. Moreover, while talking about his father, Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, Patrick Kennedy added that his father was his ultimate source of inspiration and strength. He also added that his father was responsible for instilling the urge of public service in him, be it through the elected office or otherwise.
However, the retirement of Patrick Kennedy, who served eight terms in office, is likely to turn into a severe problem for the Democrats as the Rhode Island Democrat’s exit might make it difficult for the party to secure majority in the House and the Senate in the upcoming November elections. Reportedly, sources close to Patrick Kennedy have stated that his father’s demise was one of the key factors that made him take the decision.
