Longtime Democratic politician and activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has dropped out of the Democratic Party presidential primaries to run as an independent.
Speaking to supporters, Kennedy announced he had decided to run as an independent after failing to garner sufficient support from his own party.
The Hill has more on how Kennedy's third-party run might shake up next year's general election:
“I don't think anyone's comfortable with having the question of a third-party candidate and who it helps and who it hurts,” said Sawyer Hackett, a Democratic strategist and senior adviser to former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro. “You never know how these things can shake out, you never know what a candidate can do in that race.”
Some operatives believe Kennedy could help inch Biden to victory. He has dabbled with conspiracy theories popular on the right and hasn't bashed former President Trump the way the rest of his party has. He could theoretically give independent-minded voters an alternative to Trump if he locks the nomination, while making it harder for the former president to maintain a united coalition.
Others say it's not so clear-cut. His universal name recognition and liberal brand identity could give those dissatisfied with Biden a Democratic-adjacent choice, while pulling votes from the president and possibly propping up Trump in the process.
Both scenarios presuppose that Kennedy doesn't get enough votes to win outright, but instead chips away voters in the right battlegrounds to change the trajectory of the race.
“I don't think anyone's resting on their laurels,” Hackett added, emphasizing the uncertainty Kennedy's decision brings to both sides.
Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel criticized RFK Jr. over his switch.
“Make no mistake – a Democrat in Independent's clothing is still a Democrat,” McDaniel said in a statement.
“RFK Jr. cannot hide from his record of endorsing Hillary, supporting the Green New Deal, fighting against the Keystone Pipeline, and praising AOC's tax hikes – he is your typical elitist liberal and voters won't be fooled,” McDaniel said.
Recent polling indicates there's more of an interest in Kennedy than other independent or third-party names this cycle, earning double-digit support. A new Reuters/Ipsos poll placed Kennedy with 14 percent of support among likely voters, a sizable portion compared to Trump's 40 percent and Biden's 38 percent.
So, what do you think? Would you vote for RFK Jr.? Does his run as an independent pose a greater threat to Joe Biden or Donald Trump? As always, let us know in the comments below!
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I am an Conservative Independent. But NOW that Mr. Kennedy had declared himself an Independent ad NOT a Democrat. He has my VOTE.
RFK Jr is a trojan horse. He is running solely to take mid America rust belt votes away from Pres Trump. He has the full backing of the DNC to steal votes from Pres Trump. No one that really is in any way conservative or any kind of conservative could possibly support RFK Jr. The reality is a vote for RFK Jr is absolutely a vote for crooked old joe. If you are better off now than you were in 2020 than vote for RFK which will keep the crooked biden regime in power. Go ahead and do that and welcome 100% socialism and the elite in power forever. This election is the LAST chance to get democracy back in this country. People have to wake up and decide , are we better off under crooked old demented joe or Donald Trump. RFK has less of a chance than Stalin of winning, which is zero. So choose América or socialism and stop with the RFK foolishness, please
RFK is still a flaming liberal. If you’re a conservative don’t think for a minute your vote would get you anything else.
RFK jr. would probably make a good Democrat president. Fortunately, the American people have had their fill of Democrats (and RINOs).
Time to put Trump back in office, gut out the deep state, flush Dem’s and RINOs down the sewers, and make America great again. Ooh Rah!
Go Kennedy, you are great but Trump is better – My Vote stays with Trump! Good Luck and God Bless…