Kennedy faces new scrutiny after crash, drug rehab

WASHINGTON --U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy's famous last name has always guaranteed him a share of the public spotlight.

But now, as he seeks to put his personal life and political career back on track after crashing his car and spending nearly a month in drug treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, the Rhode Island Democrat can expect the scrutiny to hit new levels.

"He's always been under a microscope," said Jack McConnell, a longtime Kennedy friend and adviser. "Now it's turned up about as high as any human being can stand."

Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., agreed that the 38-year-old Kennedy faces a "difficult challenge" in the weeks and months ahead, but he is confident the congressman will prevail.

The six-term congressman is eager to put the storm of recent headlines behind him as he returned to Congress this week. Simply getting back to work should provide an immediate boost, Reed said.

"He'll probably get a bit of tonic for just being back working," said Reed, who is among Kennedy's mentors. "That's a pretty good form of therapy."

Kennedy was greeted warmly by colleagues as he returned to Capitol Hill on Tuesday.

"I'm just overwhelmed by all the support," he said before attending a House Appropriations Committee meeting.

Kennedy noted he had gotten personal notes of encouragement from, among others, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. "People have been so generous," he said.

The most pressing political problem is at home in his district. Kennedy must convince voters that he can still be an effective congressman, his advisers said, and that his mental health problems are under control.

"He's got a job of reassurance to do," said McConnell.

Rhode Island voters have supported Kennedy despite some past scrapes. In 2000, he shoved an airport security guard in Los Angeles. He was also accused that year of trashing a chartered sailboat. There were reports a distraught woman had to be rescued from his boat by the Coast Guard after an argument.

Kennedy has been able to stir some positive feelings among his constituents through his role as a member of the Appropriations Committee. Kennedy took credit for helping steer more than $100 million to the state in the 2005 fiscal year, much of it for defense firms, police and transportation projects.

Trumpeting such efforts has helped Kennedy win solid re-election victories, rolling up a 64 percent margin in 2004 and a 60 percent mark in 2002.

"Rhode Island understands that Patrick Kennedy is too valuable to lose," said Tony Marcella, a former Kennedy chief of staff and longtime friend who is a Democratic operative.

Rhode Island Republican Party spokesman Chuck Newton, however, said the public's tolerance for Kennedy stumbles may be wearing thin.

"I don't care if your name is Kennedy or George Washington, there are only so many times you can go to the well," said Newton. "His every step will be monitored much more closely than it has been in the past."

Kennedy has been open about his personal battles with depression, alcoholism and addiction to prescription drugs. Increasing access to mental health care for more Americans has been his personal crusade.

Supporters say his candor has struck a sympathetic chord with voters, many of whom have friends or relatives with similar problems.

"He's been remarkably candid with what has ordinarily been a very personal situation," said Bill Lynch, chairman of the Rhode Island Democratic Party. "People have been incredibly supportive of him."

State Democrats endorsed Kennedy for re-election while he was in drug treatment last month in the Mayo Clinic. Supporters are confident he will win another term this fall.

"People have been fairly forgiving, particularly in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and the rest of New England, when it comes to the foibles of the Kennedy family," said Ken Dautrich, a public policy professor at the University of Connecticut. "The Kennedys always seem to bounce back from them."

Still, at least one potential legal problem remains in the wake of Kennedy's crash: further charges.

Kennedy was cited by Capitol Police for three traffic violations after crashing his car into a security barrier near the Capitol in the wee hours of May 4. There are allegations he received special treatment by police who did not conduct field sobriety tests after the crash.

Police said Tuesday they are still investigating the incident. Kennedy has promised to cooperate with police.

Kennedy's supporters, meanwhile, say they expect his battle with addiction and depression to shadow him every day.

"In the long haul, he's going to struggle with these issues all his life," said McConnell. "He's going to be under much more of a microscope."