On Monday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental lawyer and presidential contender, declared his independent candidature, thereby abandoning his ambition to unseat President Joe Biden in the Democratic primary in favour of a long-shot general election bid.
In his Philadelphia speech, Kennedy remarked, “I’m here to declare myself an independent candidate for president of the United States.”
Speculation about Kennedy’s participation in the 2024 race had been ongoing for a while prior to his announcement. Earlier this year, Kennedy reportedly talked politics and philosophy with the Libertarian Party chair, as reported by AWN. The poll results, which tested Kennedy’s power in a three-way contest against Biden and former President Donald Trump, were released last week by a super PAC backing Kennedy’s presidential campaign.
A campaign insider informed AWN that later this month, the campaign will organise a series of events in Texas, Florida, and Georgia, as part of its promise to go “everywhere” before next year’s general election. According to the source, the campaign is certain that they will be able to be on the ballot in every state by the following November.
It has historically been difficult for independent and third-party candidates in presidential elections to gain significant support. Texas businessman Ross Perot ran one of the most successful independent presidential campaigns in recent history in 1992, garnering eight percent of the popular vote in an election that Bill Clinton ultimately won.
An already complicated general election fight could become even more so if Kennedy runs as an independent. A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted among potential voters last week found that 14% of voters favoured Kennedy, 40% supported Trump, and 38% supported Biden in a hypothetical three-way contest. With almost a year until the general election in November 2024, it is still unclear if the Kennedy campaign can convert that level of enthusiasm into votes.
Voters should not be fooled by those who claim to be conservative but actually hold liberal views. Trump campaign spokeswoman Steven Cheung said of Kennedy, “The fact is that RFK has a disturbing background steeped in radical, liberal positions,” referencing Kennedy’s views on China, guns, the environment, and abortion. To run for president as Robert F. Kennedy would be nothing more than a publicity stunt by a leftist Kennedy hoping to profit from the Kennedy name.
One of Trump’s aides informed AWN that opposition research has been compiled against Kennedy in an effort to present him as a “liberal parading in conservative’s clothing,” due to his history as an environmental activist.
Starting in April, Kennedy actively campaigned in early primary states like New Hampshire and South Carolina in an effort to unseat Biden in the Democratic nomination. AWN/University of New Hampshire poll issued in September found that only 9% of likely Democratic primary voters in New Hampshire supported Kennedy despite his campaign.
simply before Kennedy’s declaration, the Republican National Committee published a statement labelling him “just another radical, far-left Democrat.”
Robert F. Kennedy, the former US attorney general, and John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, are Kennedy’s father and uncle, respectively. On Monday, he published a statement with several of his siblings in which they called his choice to run against Biden in the general election “dangerous to our country.”
Although they have the same first name, Bobby is nothing like our father in character, outlook, or common sense. The news we received today has devastated us. Rory Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, Joseph P. Kennedy II, and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend all wrote in a statement, “We oppose his candidature and think it to be perilous for our country.
Although Kennedy has never held public office, he has garnered a tiny but dedicated following thanks to his outspoken opposition to government mandates concerning citizens’ health and his belief that money should not play a role in the decision-making processes of either public agencies or private businesses. Kennedy has pushed anti-vaccination conspiracy theories at campaign events and is the founder of Children’s Health Defence, an organisation that pushes anti-vaccine misinformation.
Conservatives, liberals, and independents from across the political spectrum gathered in Philadelphia on Monday to hear the announcement.
Independent New Jersey teacher Walter Rodriguez has stated his intention to vote for Kennedy should he appear on the ballot there. Otherwise, he won’t be casting a ballot, he said.
“I think some of the things that he’s talking about are things that I identify with,” Rodriguez remarked, expressing enthusiasm for the candidate. “Less reliance on centralised control in all spheres, including medicine and government. So, it’s a good thing that he’s going his own way and announcing his independence today.
New York’s Westchester County was Karl Hagstrom’s departure point for his move to Philadelphia. He claimed to have voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020 but that he will back Kennedy in 2024. He stated that Trump has been too divisive for him, and that Kennedy, as a political outsider, can restore unity to the country.
Just the nonstop craziness, tweeting, negativity, and totally unexpected responses to events. Nothing about it is long-lasting or unifying, as stated by Hagstrom.
Sarah Shulman and her group of Boston-area backers took a car to the event. Shulman, a paediatrician by profession, said she attended Kennedy’s April launch event for his Democratic candidature in Boston because of his anti-corruption message and his views on vaccines. She claimed she was alienated from Biden’s message since he took office, despite the fact that she voted for him in 2020 and has never contemplated backing a Republican.
Shulman remarked of Kennedy, “He’s speaking our language.” Someone with a “liberal mind” who is “compassionate, caring, and making sense” would be a Democrat.
