Republicans for Patches Kennedy

The American Spectator has an article on the prospects of a Senatorial matchup in Rhode Island putting RINO Sen. Lincoln Chafee against Rep. Patrick Kennedy, aka "Patches." It's a tossup for Republicans, with many hoping to see Patrick elected for entertainment value.

"Kennedy against Chafee, man that's a tough one," says a Senate Republican staffer. "If I had a vote, I guess I'd hold my nose and vote Republican, but hope that Kennedy gets the votes."

It's a weird political world when Republicans would prefer to have Patches in the Senate well. "The floor speeches would be worth watching, that's for sure," says another Senate Republican staffer. "Patches doesn't have his father's or his uncles' oratorical gifts. Not even close."

What he did inherit from his family is an uncanny ability to land in trouble. His run-ins with the law are legendary on Capitol Hill, from abandoning his car and running into the Capitol after being chased for speeding in Washington, D.C., to his physical assault of a female, African-American security guard at Los Angeles International Airport, to his well-documented history of drug and alcohol abuse.

He is not known for strong political instincts, and for his sometimes embarrassing floor speeches in the House and on the campaign trail (another reason Gephardt yanked him out of leadership).