Teddy's Boy Turns 40

All together now, let's sing "Happy Birthday to You" to Congress's newest 40-year-old, Rep. Patrick Kennedy.

There's a party and, naturally for a congressman and a Kennedy, it's being turned into a political fundraiser for his re-election. We just intercepted the invite and it looks to be a doozy.

It's this Thursday in New York City and hosted by dad Sen. Edward Kennedy, brother and sister-in-law Edward Jr. and Katherine, and cousin Caroline Kennedy and her hubby, Ed Schlossberg. This isn't some BYOB fete. Tickets are $1,000 to $5,000.

Check out the simple invitation: On a pretty, baby blue background are the large brown numbers "40" and a single balloon floating up to the sky. The location will be revealed only if you RSVP, presumably with a nice check to Friends of Patrick Kennedy (kennedyforri.com).

To see the invite, go to usnews.com/blogs/washington-whispers.

By Paul Bedard