Patrick Kennedy: Brown's a Joke; Brown: Kennedy Mean-Spirited

After weeks of erie politeness between the Kennedy clan and Senator Scott Brown, Representative Patrick Kennedy (D - RI) termed Brown's successful campaign to replace Senator Edward Kennedy "a joke" as he suggested Brown's expedited swearing-in was a political move designed to obstruct the Democrats' agenda. Brown responded by calling Kennedy's comments “mean-spirited” and said he simply wanted to "solve the problems" of citizens.

After Senator Kennedy died, his family essentially avoided the special election except for perfunctory endorsements of doomed candidate Martha Coakley. Brown won and got obligatory congratulations including a D.C. photo-op with the Rhode Island Congressman. The only hiccup was Joe Kennedy saying he maybe, sorta, shoulda run. No shit, Joe.

The ironic thing with a Kennedy calling Brown's campaign "a joke" is that Ted Kennedy's initial bid for Senate in 1962 was derided as a joke by primary opponent Edward J. McCormack, Jr. who famously said "Teddy, if your name was Edward Moore instead of Edward Moore Kennedy, your candidacy would be a joke."

Bostonist wouldn't be surprised if Ted Kennedy's younger son was not aware of this ironic fact.