As of Monday, lifelong environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will run for president as an independent and withdraw his Democratic primary bid in the 2024 presidential election, which is projected to put President Joe Biden against former President Donald Trump.
Republican support outnumbered Democratic support for long shot primary candidate Kennedy, a member of a renowned Democratic dynasty. GOP backing may not alter since Kennedy faces Trump in general. Friends of Biden and Trump fear Kennedy will undermine their campaigns.
Read More: Israel-Gaza conflict: Why Biden finds this to be so complex
Biden supporters rejected Kennedy’s primary. DNC officials eye-rolled when asked about his independent candidature.
At Independence Mall in Philadelphia, hundreds of admirers awaited Kennedy’s Monday remarks—an appropriate launch spot. Campaign signs read “Declare your independence”.
Kennedy was honest and refreshing to independents.
New Jersey student Julia Hill, 23, said, “He tells it how it is.” “He doesn’t have a political voice.”
South Philadelphia disabled veteran Brent Snyder wanted change after supporting Trump.
“I’ve noticed the Republican Party has been going in a way I didn’t like the last couple of years.” Despite my disagreement, I think Trump has too much baggage for his country. The division stinks. They must reconcile opposing views for us to function.
A week ago, Cornel West left the Green Party to run for president alone. Centrist group No Labels claims one unknown candidate wants ballot access.
Kennedy accused the DNC of “rigging” the primary to hurt him and threatened to head elsewhere for weeks.
His campaign emails and videos blasted the DNC for not scheduling debates with Biden and other candidates and for putting South Carolina first in the primary.
At a September BBQ that Republican former senator Scott Brown of New Hampshire hosted, he added, “If they jam me, I’m going to look at every option.”
Close far-right and anti-vaccine sympathisers have called for Kennedy’s Democratic Party resignation on social media. Kennedy’s friend and anti-vaccine doctor Joseph Mercola asked Twitter’s initial name, X, about his party resignation last month.
Candidates Kennedy frequently invoked his father, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, and uncle, President John F. Kennedy. He has forged tight ties with far-right figures in recent years. Alex Jones’ show and Michael Flynn’s Christian nationalist ReAwaken America Tour featured him.
Polls reveal Republicans esteem Kennedy more than Democrats. Some far-right conservatives support him for his radical views, such as opposing the COVID-19 vaccination, which research has demonstrated prevents significant illness and death.
Kennedy’s anti-vaccination group, Children’s Health Defence, is suing The Associated Press for leaking bogus COVID-19 and vaccine information for antitrust violations. Group lawyer Kennedy left to run for president.
Share this content:
3 Comments