Kennedy’s Great Crash and Dodge

Think of these words and tell me who you think of: Car crash, sobriety trouble, pill problems and cover-up.

You probably don’t need any longer. It’s the Kennedy family. The long tradition of dysfunction continues on to the next generation. Will you see the press latch onto this? Will you want calls for his resignation come from Democrats? Don’t hold your breath.

Excerpts of the story as reported by The Raw Story.

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.

…

???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.???

Baird said he had been advised that after the officers departed, Capitol Police ???House Division officials??? gave Kennedy a ride home.

Michelle Malkin uncovers some news of his attempt to avoid responsibility by hiding behind the Constitution for his behavior.

Late to a vote? One would think that answer showed he was drunk, but he was claiming something else: More like claiming diplomatic Constitutional immunity.

United States Constitution,

Section 6. The Senators and Representatives shall receive a compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the treasury of the United States. They shall in all cases, except treason, felony and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other place.

Patrick claims he no alcohol prior to the incident.

California Conservative wonders what now following this incident. Though he doesn’t want to villanize Mr. Kennedy because of his disease, I have to wonder about that approach. Its the only disease known to mankind that choice and self control can eradicate.

Outside the Beltway is also amused by the comparison to Chappaquiddick. But that certainly didn’t deter another Kennedy from being elected over and over to the Senate. I doubt that this will impair his career less than it did his driving. I suspect that even if he had killed someone he wouldn’t be in jeopardy. Sad but true.

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