Just a few days after Democrats lost Ted Kennedy's old senate seat Republicans in nearby Rhode Island think they can defeat Congressman Patrick Kennedy, Teddy's son.
His opponent, John Loughlin, a state representative, has already raised more money than any candidate before him who opposed Kennedy.
GOP Chairman Giovanni Cicione said on Wednesday that what happened to Martha Coakley could happen to Patrick Kennedy too.
"In
this cycle, with a good candidate like we have with John Loughlin, the
national scene shifting away from Kennedy-type politics, and
independent voters looking for options, I think he's incredibly
vulnerable," Cicione said.
Loughlin said the economy has to be the key issue "We need to put the money back into the hands of Rhode Islanders," he said.
Patrick
Kennedy has been elected eight times but in recent months faced a tough
battle with the Catholic Bishop of Rhode Island Thomas Tobin who
ordered him not to receive communion because of his stance on abortion
rights.
Kennedy has also had a troubled
history with drugs and alcohol and admitted he was bipolar. Rumors
abound that some of the successful team that led Scott Brown to victory in Massachusetts are headed to Rhode Island to take part in the Kennedy race. But Bill Lynch, chairman of the state Democratic Party, said personal problems will not affect Kennedy.
"The
people in that district know him. They trust him," Lynch said. "They're
aware of the problems he's had. He's dealt with that in a candid way."
Loughlin
said on Wednesday that he had raised $230,000. As of December 31
Kennedy had raised $544,885 but if the race is close the national
Republican and Democratic committees are expected to get involved.