Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made an announcement regarding his independent presidential bid on Monday near Independence Hall in Philadelphia. His decision was met with criticism from several members of his well-known family. Kennedy, famous for his anti-vaccine stance, initially declared his presidential bid in April, stating his intention to challenge President Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination. However, he has now changed his tune and expressed a desire for independence from the two major political parties. Kennedy, alongside his wife, actress Cheryl Hines, declared himself an independent candidate for the presidency of the United States. Despite his familial ties to the Democratic Party, Kennedy stated that he made this decision after much contemplation. Four members of the Kennedy family – Rory, Kerry, Joseph P. Kennedy II, and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend – released a joint statement expressing their disagreement with his independent bid, considering it to be dangerous and deeply saddening.
Kennedy is the son of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968, and the nephew of the late President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963. Although Kennedy emphasized unity in his speech, he also criticized the “smug elite” and highlighted the unpopularity of the leading 2024 presidential candidates, Biden and former President Donald Trump. Kennedy expressed his intention to challenge both of them, despite concerns from Democrats and Republicans that he could potentially disrupt the election. Former Representative Dennis Kucinich, a liberal lawmaker from Ohio who previously ran for president as a Democrat, is managing Kennedy’s campaign and appeared alongside him during the announcement.
In recent polls, Biden has maintained a significant lead over Kennedy in the Democratic primary, with Kennedy failing to reach over 25% support among Democrats surveyed. However, both Biden and Trump have expressed apprehension about third-party challengers. Hillary Clinton reportedly warned Biden about the need to take third-party contenders seriously. Cornel West, a well-known academic aligned with progressive Senator Bernie Sanders, is running to Biden’s left and is expected to appear on the November 2024 ballot as the Green Party candidate. Similar discussions have reportedly taken place in Trumpworld as well. Overall, Kennedy’s Presidential Bid appears to have more support among Republicans than Democrats, potentially affecting Trump more than Biden.
Kennedy’s path to the ballot will likely be challenging, as he will need to meet various state-specific filing requirements and deadlines. There has been speculation that Kennedy may consider partnering with the Libertarian Party, as he had a meeting with the party’s chair, Angela McArdle, in July. Some Trump supporters have suggested a “Trump-Kennedy” ticket, considering Trump’s lack of a running mate at present. Ultimately, Kennedy’s bid will depend on his ability to navigate these obstacles and gain the necessary ballot access.
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