What a Tangled Web He's Weaved

For once, I've got to commend the AP for putting together a blistering attack on Patrick Kennedy's changing account of his accident.

Text of statements on Rep. Patrick Kennedy's traffic accident:

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Kennedy's first statement , released by his press secretary:

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

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Kennedy's full written statement :

"Last Tuesday, the Attending Physician of the United States Congress treated me for Gastroenteritis. The Attending Physician prescribed Phenergan, an anti-nausea medication, which in addition to treating Gastroenteritis, I now know can cause drowsiness and sedation.

Following the last series of votes on Wednesday evening, I returned to my home on Capitol Hill and took the prescribed amount of Phenergan and Ambien, which was also prescribed by the Attending Physician some time ago and I occasionally take to fall asleep. Some time around 2:45am, I drove the few blocks to the Capitol Complex believing I needed to vote. Apparently, I was disoriented from the medication. At that time, I was involved in a one-car incident in which my car hit the security barrier at the corner of 1st and C St., SE. At no time before the incident did I consume any alcohol.

At the time of the accident, I was instructed to park my car and was driven home by the United States Capitol Police. At no time did I ask for any special consideration, I simply complied with what the officers asked me to do.

I have the utmost respect for the United States Capitol Police and the job they do to keep Members of Congress and the Capitol Complex safe. I have contacted the Chief of Capitol Police and offered to meet with police representatives at their earliest convenience as I intend to cooperate fully with any investigation they choose to undertake."

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From the Capitol Police on their Web site:

"The United States Capitol Police are continuing to investigate a traffic accident that occurred early Thursday morning, May 4, 2006 at the intersection of 1st and C Street, SE. In addition to determining the existence of any evidence that would support traffic charges, the Department is also reviewing steps taken during the initial accident investigation to ensure compliance with existing policies and procedures."

During today's press conference announcing his entering drug rehabilitation, Patrick Kennedy said he had no recollection of any of the events that night. That's a bald-faced lie. If he didn't remember anything about that night, how could he say that he "was instructed to park my car and was driven home by the United States Capitol Police" or that he didn't "ask for any special consideration" that he "simply complied with what the officers asked me to do"? Those seem like awfully specific recollections to me. As Fred Barnes said tonight on the roundtable, "How do you unremember" so many details from the night before? My question is different. Did he unremember those details or is he just a liar?

One last thing on today's statement: What pain medication was involved and what pain was it perscribed for? Ambien and Phenergan aren't pain pills.

Here's part of the Boston Herald's article:

The letter from the cops union said police spotted Kennedy's Mustang swerving with its lights off. The car narrowly missed a cruiser before slamming into a security barricade, according to the letter written by officer Chris Baird, chairman of the department's union. The driver exited the vehicle and he was observed to be staggering, Baird's letter states. The letter also said that Kennedy claimed he was "late to a vote." The last House vote was taken nearly six hours earlier.

The more time that passes from the accident, the more damning Kennedy's statements sound. If he didn't remember anything from that night, why would he remember that saying he was late for a vote would exempt him from prosecution? I want him to get help but I also want him to be held accountable for his actions.

Patrolmen's union president Lou Cannon told the Associated Press that officers were fuming that police brass intervened and blocked attempts to give Kennedy sobriety tests. “The officers just want to be able to do their jobs," Cannon said.

The "police brass" that intervened need to be terminated. Their actions prevented law enforcement from doing their jobs. Congressmen don't deserve special treatment, especially when that special treatment might endanger someone in the future.

I don't want to sound melodramatic but their enabling actions might get someone killed in the future. Kennedy was lucky this was a single car crash. There's no guarantee that will always be the case in the future.

In fact, I've got good company on this belief. Bob Beckel was on Sean Hannity's show this afternoon and he said that protecting Kennedy is the worst thing for him.

I've had friends and relatives who had substance abuse problems. Those I've known who've gotten clean and stayed clean were people that weren't protected anymore. People got to the point where we said "No more. They made their bed. Now they have to deal with it." Admittedly, that's a difficult thing to do but it must be done.

The bottom line on this is that I want Kennedy held accountable for his actions and I want my readers praying that he humbles himself and gets the help and support he needs.

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Posted Friday, May 5, 2006 10:23 PM

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