Projo Politics Blog

By John Mulligan
Journal Washington bureau

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, D-RI, is among the legislators who have seen some moderation in the opposition of his constituents to the financial rescue package that is now headed to the House of Representatives for a vote.

Kennedy said as early as Sunday afternoon that sentiment in Rhode Island's First Congressional District -- as measured by calls, emails and other contacts from constituents -- was ``overwhelmingly opposed'' to any financial rescue of the dimensions of the package about to hit the floor of the House. Like the other members of the state's all-Democratic congressional delegation, Kennedy said this been easily the top issue with voters, hundreds of whom have contacted his office about it in recent days.

Like fellow Democrat Rhode Island Rep. James R. Langevin, Kennedy voted for the package on Monday nonetheless. But a small majority killed that bill, forcing congressional leaders and the Bush administration back to the negotiating table, where they fashioned the compromise that cleared the Senate last night with the support of Senators Jack Reed, D-RI, and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-RI.

Since the surprising House vote - which jolted the financial markets - Kennedy's office said there has been an increase in the number of constituents getting in touch to say they supported his vote for the rescue package. Opposition voices were still strong, however, and many constituents on both sides expressed the view that any rescue package should help ``Main Street Americans'' and not Wall Street.

Like other members of the delegation, Kennedy has heard many constituent demands for curbs on ``golden parachutes'' for Wall Street executives, close supervision of the rescue, and more assistance to homeowners threatened with foreclosure.

 Tags  House Kennedy Langevin Reed Wall Street rescue Whitehouse

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