“I am here to announce that I will run for President of the United States as an independent candidate,” Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said. In his speech in Philadelphia. Kennedy’s announcement came after weeks of speculation about his future in the 2024 field.
Kennedy met with the head of the Liberal Party earlier this year to discuss their shared beliefs. Last week, a political action committee supporting Kennedy’s presidential campaign released the results of a poll it conducted that tested the presidential candidate’s strength against Joe Biden and Donald Trump. CNN.
Kennedy chops his ax into heavy wood
Independent and third-party candidates have historically struggled to gain significant support in presidential elections. Ross Perot is a Texas businessman In 1992 He launched one of the most successful independent presidential campaigns in modern history, which ended with him receiving 8% of the vote in the general election that was eventually won by Bill Clinton.
Kennedy’s campaign as an independent could further complicate the race in the general election, which is already expected to be close. Reuters/Ipsos last week
According to a poll of likely voters for a hypothetical three-way race between Biden, Trump and Kennedy, 14% of voters supported Kennedy, while 40% supported Trump and 38% supported Biden.
With more than a year until the general election, it is unclear whether the Kennedy campaign will be able to translate this support into votes in November 2024.
He didn’t do well in the primaries either
Kennedy first launched his campaign to defeat Biden in the Democratic primary in April, making frequent visits to primary states such as New Hampshire and South Carolina. However, his efforts had little impact on Democratic primary voters, as only 9 percent of likely Democratic voters supported Kennedy in New Hampshire.
The Republican National Committee issued a statement just before Kennedy’s announcement, calling him “just another extreme Democrat from the far left.”
His relatives don’t support him, but people are excited
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — the son of former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of former President John F. Kennedy — issued a joint statement on Monday calling his decision to run against Biden in the general election dangerous.
Bobby may have the same name as our father, but he does not share the same values, vision or judgment as us. We are deeply saddened by this announcement. We condemn his candidacy and believe that he poses a danger to our country
Rory Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, Joseph P. Kennedy II and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend said in a statement.
Kennedy never held public office, but he inspired a small group of supporters who were inspired by his opposition to public health mandates and the influence of money on decisions made by government and private companies. Kennedy founded Advocating for children’s health An organization that regularly spreads anti-vaccination misinformation and promotes anti-vaccination conspiracy theories at campaign events.
Attendees at Monday’s event spanned across the ideological spectrum, as conservatives, liberals and independents alike gathered in Philadelphia for the announcement. A local teacher, Walter Rodriguez, said he supported Kennedy’s campaign, saying:
If it wasn’t on the ballot, I wouldn’t vote at all.
In his opinion, the presidential candidate could bring new and exciting energy to American politics, “which the country may need.” According to another citizen, Sarah Shulman, the last Kennedy “understood the language of the common people.”
Liberal Democrat in his thinking, compassionate, caring and sensible as well
– He said.
