State Rep. Loughlin preps for congressional bid
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By Katherine Gregg This week is a big week in the political life of House Minority Whip John Loughlin. On Sunday, the Tiverton Republican was headed to Washington for a few pointers on how, in his own words, to "take on the most powerful, left-wing political machine in our country in the next election -- the Kennedys.'' Sponsored by the National Republican Congressional Committee, the three-day, off-year "candidate school'' includes a pep talk on "earning back our majority,'' speech writing tips by former President Bush's press secretary Ari Fleischer; and a briefing by Joe Gaylord, the senior political adviser to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, on how to organize a campaign. Loughlin tells Political Scene that he is most looking forward to attending a U.S. House GOP caucus, an exciting prospect after caucusing on numerous occasions with Rhode Island's tiny House GOP "in my car.'' But the trip may not be the high point of Loughlin's week if, as he hopes, the fundraising report he files with the Federal Election Commission next week shows he outraised the Democratic incumbent he hopes to unseat: U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy. Federal campaign reports for the period that ended on June 30 are due by July 15. Kennedy, who made a well-publicized return to Congress last week after a four-week timeout for unspecified addiction treatment, had only $214,574 cash on hand when he filed his last campaign report three months ago. Loughlin, a three-term state lawmaker, has not officially declared his candidacy for Kennedy's 1st Representative District seat. But he filed notice with the FEC on April 6 of his potential candidacy, so he could begin raising money, and then fired off two sharply worded fundraising letters to likely contributors in the state and across the country. After mentioning several of Kennedy's well-publicized scrapes, his court-ordered drug treatment and his voting record in Washington, Loughlin wrote: "My wife Susan and I are especially saddened that a man like Patrick Kennedy is being held up as a role model for our two children -- and for your children ... just because of his last name. That's why Asked again last week whether he has, in fact, made up his mind to challenge Kennedy, Loughlin said: "We are pursuing the race,'' but "I haven't made an official announcement at this point.'' He said he will probably declare his intentions early next year. 
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Rep. Kennedy has a disease called alcoholism and he suffers from depression. Instead of continuing to self-medicate with alcohol to allieviate the tremendous psychic pain depression causes, Patrick has chosen to fight his disease with AA, depression medication and retreats to drug and alcohal treatment facilities. He doesn't try to conceal his problems, but instead has been quite open about them, thereby becoming a role-model for other sufferers. Unfortunately this is a lifetime disease, resmission isn't always permanent and relapses do occur. The question is whether one gives in to the impusle to relapse or or returns for treatment when necessary. I would suggest that his condition is no different than that of a patient in remission who returns for chemo-therapy when their cancer returns. We should support and praise his decision to continue the fight against the twin demons of alcoholism and depression. Rep. Loughlin comes from the Neanderthal school of politics where alcoholism and depression are recognized as moral weaknesses and therefore those who suffer from them aren't fit for political office. Thank God that people like Loughlin are in the minority and like the Neanderthals will eventually disappear.
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Rep. Kennedy has a disease called alcoholism and he suffers from depression. Instead of continuing to self-medicate with alcohol to allieviate the tremendous psychic pain depression causes, Patrick has chosen to fight his disease with AA, depression medication and retreats to drug and alcohal treatment facilities. He doesn't try to conceal his problems, but instead has been quite open about them, thereby becoming a role-model for other sufferers. Unfortunately this is a lifetime disease, resmission isn't always permanent and relapses do occur. The question is whether one gives in to the impusle to relapse or or returns for treatment when necessary. I would suggest that his condition is no different than that of a patient in remission who returns for chemo-therapy when their cancer returns. We should support and praise his decision to continue the fight against the twin demons of alcoholism and depression. Rep. Loughlin comes from the Neanderthal school of politics where alcoholism and depression are recognized as moral weaknesses and therefore those who suffer from them aren't fit for political office. Thank God that people like Loughlin are in the minority and like the Neanderthals will eventually disappear.
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Although I feel bad about Patrick and his addiction problems, how can he effectively be a representative for the people of RI? We need someone who is alert and on top of his/her game all of the time. Otherwise, we are getting shortchanged. Patrick, please do the honorable thing and step down from the Congress.
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