Patrick Kennedy takes Gemma to task for ripping fellow Dems
July 12th, 2012 at 6:34 pm by Ted Nesi under Nesi's Notes, On the Main Site
Patrick Kennedy isn’t pleased with one of the two Democrats trying to win his old 1st Congressional District seat.
In a statement Thursday evening, the former congressman took Anthony Gemma to task for telling WPRO-AM he won’t support fellow Democrats U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressman Jim Langevin in November. Gemma cited their support for incumbent Congressman David Cicilline over him.
“It is critically important that we all continue supporting our fantastic federal delegation this year in Senator Whitehouse and Congressmen Langevin and Cicilline,” Kennedy said. “This is about Rhode Island, not about each candidate, and I don’t think Mr. Gemma understands this.”
Gemma told WPRO the other federal officials should have stayed neutral in the Democratic primary. “I’m frustrated with Senator Whitehouse that he has not stepped up and done what’s right for me,” he said. “His constituents are telling him in droves that I am the right candidate. I know it for a fact.”
Gemma added that he does support U.S. Sen. Jack Reed because “he’s not running.”
Cicilline defeated Gemma in the Democratic primary to succeed Kennedy two years ago after the veteran congressman decided to retire. In his statement, Kennedy said he supports the three incumbents because of their positions on Social Security, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, offshoring and fossil-fuel subsidies.
“I was proud to serve with Senator Whitehouse and Congressman Langevin in Washington and I saw firsthand their dedication to Rhode Island and their fierce advocacy for the people of our state,” he said.
A WPRI 12 poll in May showed Cicilline with a slim in the Democratic primary, with 40% of voters supporting him, 36% supporting Gemma and 20% undecided. The primary is Sept. 11.
Tags: 1st Congressional District, anthony gemma, campaign 2012, david cicilline, jim langevin, patrick kennedy, sheldon whitehouse
Nesi's Notes covers politics and the economy in and around Rhode Island for WPRI.com. (Twitter: 
So Patrick says, “This is about Rhode Island, not about each candidate . . .” True enough, sort of. It’s about whether Rhode Island will re-elect an unprincipled liar.
Kennedy you have done more then your fair share to destroy RI
Shut Up, and go away!!!!
[...] chided the increasingly irrelevant candidate for his comments on the Buddy Cianci Show, reports WPRI and RIPR. “This is about Rhode Island, not about each candidate, and I don’t think Mr. [...]
[...] Related: Patrick Kennedy takes Gemma to task for ripping fellow Dems (May 13) var addthis_config = [...]
Anthony Gemma is making more and more sense each day. Since when is the race about the party rather than the person running. I think that most of Congress has taken this position and that is why we are in such bad shape today. I blame Newth Gingrich for pushIng these partisan positions and now all of a sudden it has become about the party rather than the person running!!
I would not support someone that does not have the spine to do what the people want and it is a shame that these Congress men keep representing positions that keep them in office rather than what than what the people want.
Go Anthony! I hope you win! Patrick forgot his first election in RI against Peter Sceffington, the encumbant.
[...] in $ 242K, with loanBoston.comCicilline backs campaign finance reformProvidence Eyewitness NewsPatrick Kennedy takes Gemma to task for ripping fellow DemsWPRI-TV 12 (blog)The Providence Journal -WPROall 14 news [...]