On Monday afternoon, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that he was dropping out of the Democratic Party presidential primary and would instead continue his presidential run as an independent candidate.
Speaking to a crowd in Philadelphia, Kennedy said that people were fed up and ready for a “history-making change.”
“People stop me everywhere—at airports, hotels, and malls on the street, and they remind me that this country is ready for a history-making change. They are ready to reclaim their freedom and independence. And that’s why I’m here today […] to declare myself as an independent candidate for the President of the United States,” Kennedy said in between applause.
Kennedy said he would join his supporters in crafting a “new Declaration of Independence for our entire nation.” This declaration, according to Kennedy, signifies a break from the corporations that have “hijacked our government,” the “mercenary media,” the “two political parties and the corrupt interests that dominate them and the entire rigged system,” and lobbyists.
Readers can watch a full video of RFK Jr’s announcement in higher audio quality produced by Outsider Media Foundation board member Ford Fischer below:
https://twitter.com/FordFischer/status/1711410946022035569
Since news of Kennedy’s announcement, he has come under fire by Republicans and the Trump campaign but largely ignored by the Democratic Party.
“Voters should not be deceived by anyone who pretends to have conservative values,” Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung is quoted as saying by AP News. He labeled Kennedy’s campaign “nothing more than a vanity project for a liberal Kennedy looking to cash in on his family’s name.”
“Make no mistake — a Democrat in Independent’s clothing is still a Democrat. 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,” RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel is also quoted as saying by AP News in a statement.
Reportedly, when asked about his candidacy, a spokesperson from the Democratic National Committee responded with a simple eye-roll emoji. Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee itself declined to provide any further comment on the matter.
Readers of Independent Political Report can view the full AP News article here.
With thanks to SocraticGadfly for alerting Independent Political Report of the response to Kennedy’s candidacy from other parties. Article photo edited from a still of CSPAN’s recording of the event.
The No Labels Party has not captured public attention. The vast majority of people have never heard of them. They have spent a lot of money on ballot access drives and they have obtained ballot access in a bunch of states and they are working on more ballot access drives right now. If the No Lables Party does not drop out of the race, they could get a lot of after they announce a candidate in late April or early May of next year due to amount of money they can raise and due to their connections in the mainstream media. They are not getting much attention now because they chose to not get much attention now.
Robert F. Kennedy raised an impressive amount of funds in one day. With Kennedy’s campaign and the No Labels capturing public attention and the recent Libertarian Party’s disarray, I don’t think the LP will have a good vote total this Presidential election.
Ryan: Earlier this week Larry Hogan said he still hadn’t ruled out the No Labels line. I think the fact that most the punditocracy (and GOP thought leaders) think Kennedy takes more votes from Trump than Biden is the main thing that will lead Hogan to say yes if he does.
Now, I do think Hogan needs to poop or get off the pot by, say, no later than Nov. 30. The “getting off the pot” as in letting somebody else pursue the No Labels line if organizers remain serious about fielding a candidate. I think the same poop or get off the pot also applies to No Labels as an organization. In or out. The Hamlet act will wear out soon enough.
West? I earlier put the over/under on him at 25 states and said I’ll take the under. Bob Jr? I said 40 and I’d take either side. Note that he’s already got campaign events planned for FL, GA, and here in Tex-a**.
Taking a grand view of this, assuming this happens, No Labels happens, both are very well-funded, I think both will have the funds to get 51-state access or at worst in the 45+ range. Throw in the Libertarians will probably be at that level. I don’t see Cornel West getting close to universal ballot access unless the left get angry at Biden en masse (could happen I suppose over Israel/Palestine based on how it develops).
But at this point I can see the non-duopoly vote in such a case getting 10+%. I don’t see that as out of the question. You’ll have 2 national-level independent campaigns, and if they’re shut out of debates they can debate each other which some TV channel will broadcast.
For the third party vote, I think this election will be 1992 of they’re all depressed compared to past numbers in light of the major non-duopoly candidates on offer. I think RFK Jr. running is a lock, No Labels at this point I would not say that is a lock.
RFK Jr. I kind of see as Eugene McCarthy’s 1970s independent run. But state of political fracture as such he’ll get more votes than McCarthy did. No Labels is still a mystery until it more becomes reality.
Update: Bob Jr., or his super PAC, raised $11 million in the first six hours after the announcement. Politico says it’s majority-Republican money. Also, American Values co-founder Tony Lyons is cozying up to Musk his own self.
Per earlier comment of mine, re Joe’s comment, no, cozying up to Musk would be the kiss of death, I believe, for Greens wanting him. https://www.politico.com/news/2023/10/10/rfk-jr-raises-11-million-elon-musk-00120731
People with money are fired up. Bob Jr. raised $11 million since the announcement https://www.politico.com/news/2023/10/10/rfk-jr-raises-11-million-elon-musk-00120731
Joe, not a chance. I think that that would be hugely unpopular in the party.
Plus, when Bob Jr. was shopping this summer, he approached the Libertarians, and not the Greens. That should give you insight on HIS take.
Third? If a GP attempt to do this became publicly known, and failed, after the Cornel West song and dance? A PR disaster.
Kennedy came out in support of a 13 week (90 day) nationwide abortion ban. I find it difficult to believe the Greens would go for him after that. His campaign tried walking it back after realizing how unpopular that would be, but he still signaled that was where his sympathies lie.
I think the Greens would attempt to recruit him. It would make sense after West dropped out.