Bipartisan Bond Over Addiction Recovery

Republican Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.) and Democrat Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) come from different ends of the political spectrum but have forged a close personal bond because of their struggles with addiction and recovery, the New York Times reported Sept. 19.

In an era where acrimony is at an all-time high between political parties, Ramstad has stood by Kennedy as he has dealt with the fallout from a recent drunk-driving conviction. The two also have collaborated to promote addiction treatment and recovery issues in Congress, and attend support groups together; Ramstad is Kennedy's A.A. sponsor.

"Patrick's not driving currently, so I'm sort of his chauffeur," said Ramstad. "We love each other for our imperfections and for our common humanity," Kennedy said. Kennedy's father, Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), praised Ramstad's "incredible generosity of spirit" in helping his son.

Ramstad and Kennedy met last week for a dinner to celebrate Kennedy's fourth month of sobriety in the latest chapter of what has been a decades-long struggle with addiction. "This is a story of a shared and common humanity and overcoming political differences in a town known for its inhumanity," said former Sen. Max Cleland (D-Ga.), who attended the dinner.

"If we could turn Congress into one big A.A. meeting, where people would be required to say what they mean and mean what they say, it would be a lot better Congress," said Ramstad.

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