Though his opinion on the matter isn’t surprising given his constituency, Senator Ted Kennedy (D-Ma.) has spoken out regarding the obsession interest of his colleague Arlen Specter regarding the activities of the New England Patriots.

Said Kennedy, per the Boston Globe:  “With the war in Iraq raging on, gasoline prices closing in on $4 a gallon, and Americans losing their homes at record rates to foreclosure, the United States Senate should be focusing on the real problems that Americans are struggling with.  I’m looking forward to another great Patriots season where they can let their play on the field speak for itself.”

The words would carry more weight if they came from another Republican, and from Senator elected by the citizens of a state other than Massachusetts (or Rhode Island or Vermont or New Hampshire).  But, clearly, Kennedy’s sentiments regarding the priorities of Congress mirror those of many non-Congresspersons, regardless of whether they live in New England or New Mexico.

That said, we tend to think that Congress does have a duty to provide, when necessary, an independent perspective regarding matters of significant public interest.  The NFL enjoys an antitrust exemption, and the owners and players reap billions of dollars from American citizens who follow the sport.  So even though there’s a point (i.e., right now) at which Specter will need to stand down unless he can recruit others in Congress to join the cause, it would be an appropriate exercise of legislative authority, if Congress were to decide to hold hearings on the Spygate matter as part of an effort to determine whether to pass federal legislation aimed at ensuring the integrity of professional sports that operate in multiple states.