(RightIsRight.co) – Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made his big move, revealing his decision to run as an independent candidate for the presidency of the United States instead of seeking the Democratic nomination. Kennedy made this announcement at Independence Mall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he addressed his supporters.
In his speech, Kennedy emphasized the motivation behind his independent candidacy, stating, “We declare independence from the cynical elites who betray our hope and who amplify our divisions. And finally, we declare independence from the two political parties.”
The Kennedy family has a long-standing association with the Democratic Party. Still, RFK Jr. chose to pursue an independent path due to his belief that the nomination process was biased against him. This decision elicited mixed reactions within the Kennedy family, with some expressing deep sadness and concern for the country.
A joint statement from Rory Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, Joseph P. Kennedy II, and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend read, “Bobby might share the same name as our father, but he does not share the same values, vision or judgment.” Notwithstanding this statement, RFK Jr.’s children are supportive of his presidential bid, and his daughter-in-law, Amaryllis Fox, serves as the co-manager of his campaign.
The RFK Jr. campaign has long advocated for a more inclusive Democratic nomination process, with efforts led by former Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and a super PAC backing Kennedy protesting outside a DNC meeting.
Polling data has produced conflicting results regarding the potential impact of RFK Jr.’s candidacy on supporters of both Biden and former President Trump. While one poll by American Values 2024 suggested that Kennedy could draw more support from Trump’s base, an Echelon Insights poll indicated that his independent bid might benefit Trump and harm Biden.
Kennedy’s fundraising prowess has been notable, with his campaign committee raising $6.3 million from April to June. This fundraising total is comparable to that of Republican presidential candidate Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina. Furthermore, Kennedy’s campaign is expected to continue its fundraising efforts into the third quarter of the year, including a multimillion-dollar fundraiser featuring a performance by Eric Clapton and Kennedy’s testimony on Capitol Hill.
Ronna McDaniel, Chairwoman of the Republican National Committee (RNC), criticized Kennedy’s political stance, asserting that he has aligned himself with leftist causes. McDaniel pointed to Kennedy’s endorsements of Hillary Clinton, support for the Green New Deal, opposition to the Keystone Pipeline, and praise for AOC’s tax proposals, characterizing him as a typical liberal and warning that voters won’t be deceived by his candidacy.
