Patrick Kennedy: Chappaquidick Caused ‘Pain’ for My Whole Family

RUSH TRANSCRIPT:

MITCHELL: "You were 2 years old when Chappaquidick happened. How big of an issue was that?"

KENNEDY: "That was a big issue for my dad. Clearly he lived with the tragedy his whole life. When your parents are suffering, you're suffering. You cannot distinguish their pain and their story from your own because, at the end of the day, they are your most important emotional foundation. If they are in turmoil, you're likely to be in turmoil. That's what we need to start talking about. "

MITCHELL: "What about the relationship with your father. How painful was this and what about your reconciliation?"

KENNEDY: "I was blessed because I not only had this towering figure who was the most important person in my life who I grew up idolizing. I got to serve with him. I got to be his colleague. And as a result, I got to know him in a myriad of ways than just being his son. So I consider myself blessed to have had the relationship I had with my dad. He was the most amazing human being. In addition to being the greatest United States senator to serve in the United States Senate."