Like Father, Like Son

What was that about a Republican Culture of Corruption?

Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-Rhode Island), Ted Kennedy's son
Drudge reports:

Officers Claim Brass Interfered in Investigation of Rep. Kennedy Incident... Police labor union officials asked acting Chief Christopher McGaffin this afternoon to allow a Capitol Police officer to complete his investigation into an early-morning car crash involving Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.).

According to a letter sent by Officer Greg Baird, acting chairman of the USCP FOP, the wreck took place at approximately 2:45 a.m. Thursday when Kennedy's car, operating with its running lights turned off, narrowly missed colliding with a Capitol Police cruiser and smashed into a security barricade at First and C streets Southeast.

More, from WUSA TV 9:

Rep. Kennedy was reportedly behind the wheel of a green Ford Mustang when it crashed into a security barrier at 1st and "C" streets Southeast.

There are no reports of injuries. A Boston TV station is reporting Kennedy told officers he was late for a vote. We are told police drove him home after conferring with higher-ups in the department. So far, Kennedy HAS NOT been charged. A spokesman for his office told CNN that alcohol was NOT involved.

The head of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 1, Lou Cannon, told 9 News that he’s concerned that Kennedy may have received special treatment and this could be a case where “rank has its privilege.”

Cannon also told 9 News that officers noticed the car swerving, looking as if it was going to make a U-turn.

9 News reporter Stacey Cohan spoke to Kennedy's press secretary at his congressional office in Rhode Island, who said she is looking into the situation, but does not have any information right now.

Well, well, well.

Patrick is following in his daddy's footsteps -- OFF THE ROAD.

Another Kennedy car accident. Another cover-up.

At least in this case, no one was injured.

A young woman was not left to drown like in Teddy's crash. Patrick didn't leave the scene of the accident or fail to report a death, like his daddy did.

The gravity of the daddy's accident can't be compared with the son's incident.



BUT--
It's another instance of a privileged Democrat acting above the law and possibly exploiting his power to hush up an embarrassing situation.

Ah, Corruption!
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More details are emerging:

According to a letter sent by Officer Greg Baird, acting chairman of the USCP FOP, the wreck took place at approximately 2:45 a.m. Thursday when Kennedy's car, operating with its running lights turned off, narrowly missed colliding with a Capitol Police cruiser and smashed into a security barricade at First and C streets Southeast.

A Capitol Police bulletin issued this afternoon stated that the department is investigating a "traffic violation that occurred in the early morning hours on May 4" at that location, ROLL CALL's John McArdle reports.

“The driver exited the vehicle and he was observed to be staggering,” Baird’s letter states. Officers approached the driver, who “declared to them he was a Congressman and was late to a vote. The House had adjourned nearly three hours before this incident. It was Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy from Rhode Island.”

Baird wrote that Capitol Police Patrol Division units, who are trained in driving under the influence cases, were not allowed to perform basic field sobriety tests on the Congressman. Instead, two sergeants, who also responded to the accident, proceeded to confer with the Capitol Police watch commander on duty and then “ordered all of the Patrol Division Units to leave the scene and that they were taking over.”

This morning's incident comes just over two weeks after Kennedy was involved in a car accident in Rhode Island.

Staggering? Ted Kennedy's son was staggering???

I'M SHOCKED!

"A spokesman for [Patrick Kennedy's] office told CNN that alcohol was NOT involved."

I guess there could be other explanations for the staggering. Maybe Kennedy the Younger has an inner ear problem.

Also, Patrick should get points for not hitting any of the officers with his cell phone.




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Patrick Kennedy's Statement

"I was involved in a traffic incident last night at First and C Street SE near the U.S. Capitol. I consumed no alcohol prior to the incident. I will fully cooperate with the Capitol Police in whatever investigation they choose to undertake."