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Coming up in seconds.

Rep. Kennedy says “I struggle every day with this disease…the chronic disease of addiction.”

Translation: I am changing the subject.

More rough transcription:

This past Christmas, I realized I needed to seek help again…checked into Mayo Clinic for addiction to pain medication…In every recovery, each day has its ups and downs…In all candor, the incident on Wednesday concerns me greatly. I simply do not remember getting out of bed, being pulled over by police…

I am deeply concerned about my reaction to the medication…I do know enough that I need help…traveling this afternoon to the Mayo Clinic…to continue my road to recovery…I hope my openness today and in the best will give others courage to seek help if they need it…

I’d like to call for passage of mental health parity. Smiles. Leaves the podium.

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Major Garrett: He made it clear he has no recollection of driving. Ambien, the medication Kennedy took, has been linked to occasionally causing sleep driving.

Major Garrett calls Kennedy’s statement “very artful.” Garrett reports that Dems may have likely intervened in the last 24 hours to persuade Kennedy to shift the focus of the story.

FOX analysts note that Kennedy made no mention of painkillers last night. Former prosecutor Michael Farkas: “This is an obvious attempt to garner sympathy from the public.” Worse than that, Farkas notes, it’s inconsistent with his statement last night and probably indicates that he probably did commit a crime.

Video of press conference: ETL.

Via AP, here are the various statements now on the record:

Kennedy’s first statement, released by his press secretary:

“I was involved in a traffic incident last night at First and C Street SE near the US Capitol. I consumed no alcohol prior to the incident. I will fully cooperate with the Capitol Police in whatever investigation they choose to undertake.”

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Kennedy’s full written statement:

“Last Tuesday, the Attending Physician of the United States Congress treated me for Gastroenteritis. The Attending Physician prescribed Phenergan, an anti-nausea medication, which in addition to treating Gastroenteritis, I now know can cause drowsiness and sedation.

Following the last series of votes on Wednesday evening, I returned to my home on Capitol Hill and took the prescribed amount of Phenergan and Ambien, which was also prescribed by the Attending Physician some time ago and I occasionally take to fall asleep. Some time around 2:45am, I drove the few blocks to the Capitol Complex believing I needed to vote. Apparently, I was disoriented from the medication. At that time, I was involved in a one-car incident in which my car hit the security barrier at the corner of 1st and C St., SE. At no time before the incident did I consume any alcohol.

At the time of the accident, I was instructed to park my car and was driven home by the United States Capitol Police. At no time did I ask for any special consideration, I simply complied with what the officers asked me to do.

I have the utmost respect for the United States Capitol Police and the job they do to keep Members of Congress and the Capitol Complex safe. I have contacted the Chief of Capitol Police and offered to meet with police representatives at their earliest convenience as I intend to cooperate fully with any investigation they choose to undertake.”

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From the Capitol Police on their Web site:

“The United States Capitol Police are continuing to investigate a traffic accident that occurred early Thursday morning, May 4, 2006 at the intersection of 1st and C Street, SE. In addition to determining the existence of any evidence that would support traffic charges, the Department is also reviewing steps taken during the initial accident investigation to ensure compliance with existing policies and procedures.”

More breaking coverage via Breitbart/AP.

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Reader Chuck e-mails:

Why is it that Kennedy will largely get a pass by the press and will
be treated with kid gloves and Rush Limbaugh gets excoriated for exactly the same problem? Gee. Do you really think the press is biased? Naw.

Reader RB e-mails:

Well, at least the “addiction” (aka, an “It’s not my fault and I won’t be responsible for my actions” excuse) may explain why he was going to the CVS on 15 Apr when he had an accident.

Unanswered questions:

Who has prescribed drugs for Pat? When? For what? How many?

Was he “on drugs” when he had the 15 Apr 06 accident?

Why hasn’t the media picked up on the 15 Apr 06 accident?

Two accidents in two weeks under similar circumstances - how much does it take for Pat to get a clue?

Did the physician(s) review his current prescriptions for possible interactions? Did they brief Pat on the effects? Were the medications properly labeled? Can Pat even read?

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