Jack E. Robinson at his press conference. (AP photo) RELATED 'ROBINSON REPORT' Read the full text CAMPAIGN WEB SITE www.robinson2000.com NECN REAL VIDEO Robinson enters race for Mass. Senate seat

Jack E. Robinson proved the point this morning when he announced his candidacy as a Republican for the seat held by U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.

Faced with a barrage of questions about his personal conduct, the businessman released what he called the "Robinson Report," an 11-page confessional detailing a litany of problems, ranging from flunking bar exams three times to being stopped for drunken driving.

The report, which is also posted on Robinson's web site, describes:

His arrest on a default warrant for an unpaid parking ticket in Brookline in the 1980s.

The dismissal of the drunken driving case along with a charge of possessing a dangerous weapon in the 1980s.

His failure to pass bar exams in New York and Texas.

A copyright infringement case that cost him $40,000.

A case of negligent conduct brought against him at the Board of Bar Overseers in Massachusetts, which he says later dismissed the complaint.

A restraining order taken out against him by a woman who claimed he forced her to engage in sexual relations.

A $10 million suit filed against him by a wireless phone company.

His company's ongoing litigation with the Federal Communications Commission, which wants $300,000 in fines for withdrawal penalties after an auction for wireless licenses.

"It's unfortunate these personal issues have come to the fore so quickly," Robinson said at a packed press conference. "But I do believe personal character is important."

He accused the Kennedy campaign of leaking some of the problems in his past even before today's press conference, and he promised to fight fire with fire.

"In a perfect world, none of the Senator's character issues should be open to debate," said Robinson, 39, who has no political experience and currently lives in Connecticut.

"I don't believe the framers of the Constitution expected a professional political class," Robinson said, defending his lack of political experience.

Just six days after he announced his intention to run for the seat long held by Kennedy, Robinson seemed so defensive some observers called him a sacrificial lamb for the Republican Party, which they said should have screened him more carefully.

But that's not the way Robinson sees it. "I don't believe there's anything in my past that would preclude me from serving the people of Massachusetts honorably," Robinson said.

Robinson said that he believed someone close to Kennedy originally leaked some of the unflattering details of his past, but said he does not hold the senator responsible.

A Kennedy spokesman told Reuters Robinson's statement was "utterly ridiculous."

Despite the controversy about his background, Robinson pledged to raise as much as $8 million to challenge Kennedy and to promote his reform agenda.

He declined to disclose his personal wealth or say how much he intends to spend on his campaign. He said he plans to move into his parents' house in Jamaica Plain from his current home in Greenwich, Conn.

At the press conference, Robinson tried to put the focus on his agenda of reforming education, health care and the tax system. But questions kept coming back to his personal conduct. "I've never acted inappropriately with any woman," he said. "I'm not a womanizer. I'm not a groper."

Robinson, who appeared without any Republican officials by his side, said he had not spoken to Governor Paul Cellucci in recent days and didn't know whether he still has Cellucci's support.

Later in the day, Cellucci said he does not.

"I think that Mr. Robinson really needs to reassess his candidacy at this point," Cellucci said. "I will not be supporting him."

Cellucci added that it would be hard at this late date to find a qualified Republican candidate who could put together the money to run a credible race against the popular senator, who was first elected to the Senate in 1962.

"People do not like to take on kamikaze missions," he said.