Getting A Pass

The Washington Post s reporting that voters in Patrick Kennedy's district, by and large, don't believe his version of the accident – that it was caused by prescription drugs. They also, by and large, intend to vote for him again.

"I don't buy the medicine story," said Michael Rossi, a nurse waiting in line at a news and video kiosk in this small downtown. He said he thinks alcohol was to blame for the crash, not the prescription drugs cited by Kennedy.

Now the good news for Kennedy: The voters of Rhode Island — including Rossi — also don't seem to care.

"It's a separate issue," said Rossi, who said he will remain a Kennedy supporter. "He's got maybe an alcohol problem. That doesn't make him a bad representative."

Similar stories were told again and again across Kennedy's district, which covers a swath of suburbs, strip malls and run-down mill towns around the northern and eastern borders of the state. From Pawtucket to Woonsocket, the six-term representative's sins were often forgiven almost before they were admitted, and by people who said they were motivated by his hard work, his power or just the traditional indulgence granted to Kennedys in this region.

Which actually points to the problem the Democrats are going to have in November. Despite national polling results, voters mostly like to keep their familiar elected officials. Kennedy getting a pass for his behavior is not different than a lot of others have been given. That likely won't change anytime soon.

Still, even a national controversy and a new challenger aren't likely to alter the election storyline for Kennedy, said Darrell West, a professor of public policy and political science at Brown University.

"Kennedy is very popular in Rhode Island," said West, who wrote a book on the representative, "Patrick Kennedy: The Rise to Power," in 2000. "And the fact that he's admitted he needs help will help defuse the situation."

That projection of Election Day support was borne out in interviews with Kennedy's constituents: Nearly all said his behavior will not change the way they plan to vote. But under that surface, there appeared to be a complex relationship that included empathy and deep cynicism.

It is very difficult to unseat an incumbent, even ones who drive under the influence.

UPDATE: Well, I must say, I'm very surprised right now. Howard Kurtz, writing in today's Washington Post, is not giving Kennedy a pass at all. In fact, he's pretty hard on both Kennedy and with the press for playing softball all these years. Good for him. Letting Kennedy off easy is one of the enabling behaviors that make it possible for him to continue his self-destructive behavior. If the press (and his constituents) were tougher on him, he might have to straighten himself out.