Osama Obama Ted Kennedy | Obama President 2008

Patrick Kennedy announced he was not seeking re-election this year. In a recorded message to the people of Rhode Island, Kennedy said, "My father taught me that politics at its very core is about serving others." Kennedy said he will continue to serve the people in a different capacity.

He stated, "Having spent two decades in politics, my life is taking a new direction." He also said he was "humbled and honored to represent the pepole of [Rhode Island]."

Kennedy had several personal issues while in the Congress.Patrick has suffered with asthma since he was a child. He has also been diagnosed with bi-polar disease as well as alcoholism and addiction to prescription drugs. In May 2006 Kennedy drove his car into a barricade on Capitol Hill. He stated the cause of the crash was disorientation from prescription drugs. After the incident Kennedy admitted himself into rehab, something he had done before. In his message he said he was "so grateful to the people of Rhode Island" for standing by him during his troubled times.