Dr. Phil is a Joke Blog

Ted Kennedy is breaking out his scandal squad, now that The National Enquirer is claiming he has a secret love child.

According to the tab, the Massachusetts senator took a paternity test that proved he'd fathered a daughter - now 31 - by a Cape Cod woman half his age.

Kennedy's office yesterday denounced the story, calling it "irresponsible fiction."

But an Enquirer insider said the tab's lawyers are "very comfortable" with the story. Among its allegations:

·   Kennedy, then 51, began dating Caroline Bilodeau in 1983 while divorcing wife Joan. "[Caroline] had dreams about being the next Mrs. Ted Kennedy," says a source.

·   A few months into their relationship, Bilodeau told Kennedy she was pregnant. After she refused to have an abortion, Kennedy is said to have cut all ties with her.

·   "Someone in the Kennedy camp" paid her at least $15,000, claims a source. "All of a sudden, a pregnant, unemployed Caroline buys a new black Mustang convertible and an expensive purebred Shar-Pei dog and moved out of her parents' modest home and into an apartment."

·   Kennedy was not present when Bilodeau gave birth to her daughter, Shalana, but a source says the young mother told friends a test established Kennedy's paternity. Afterward, she "always seemed to have money," says the source.

·   Bilodeau later married a local man, who legally adopted the girl and renamed her Shalana Millard.

An Enquirer insider told us Bilodeau and her son wouldn't confirm or deny the story. "She must have a good reason not to talk," said the insider. "Until she acknowledges Ted as the father, he can hide behind her."

The insider said the story is based on sources "both on the Kennedy side and in the woman's family. We've known about the girl for several years but waited until she turned 31. Also, more information came our way recently."

"Our sources had no political connections," said the source, who noted that the tab has targeted both Democrats and Republicans - revealing Jesse Jackson's love child, as well as Rush Limbaugh's illegal drug use.