Photo: Kerry Kennedy, Robert's sister Kennedy Jr. speaks in Philadelphia, April 18, 2024
Fifteen members of the famed Kennedy political dynasty supported President Joe Biden at a campaign event in Philadelphia on Thursday, April 18, several of them joining him at stage, refusing to support his relative – independent candidate Robert Kennedy Jr., Reuters reports.
Biden will face Donald Trump again in November, just as he did in 2020. But members of both parties are concerned that a nomination by Kennedy, a known anti-vaxxer, or another third-party candidate could spoil either party's chances.
Kennedy, the son of assassinated senator and presidential candidate Robert Kennedy, rose to prominence as an environmental lawyer before joining the anti-vaxxer movement. He is supported by 15% of registered voters, versus 39% for Biden and 38% for Trump, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll.
Many members of the Kennedy family disagreed with Robert.
< "I can only imagine how Donald Trump's outright lies and behavior would have horrified my father, Robert Kennedy," Robert Kennedy Jr.'s younger sister, Kerry Kennedy, said at a Biden event, calling Trump the most "anti-democratic president" throughout history."
“The Pope stood for equality, human rights and freedom from want and fear. Just as President Biden does today. A vote for Joe Biden is a vote for our democracy and our decency,” Kerry said, without mentioning her brother.
She added that she and her family came to the event because they feel an obligation to do everything possible to support Joe Biden's campaign.
Members of the Kennedy family are expected to join local volunteers to make door-to-door visits and phone calls on Biden's behalf, campaign officials said.
Robert Kennedy Jr. posted on social media platform X that he had heard that some of his relatives support Biden.
"I am glad that they are politically active – it's a family traditionhe wrote. We may differ in our opinions, but we are united in our love for each other..
The Democratic National Committee emphasized that Robert Kennedy Jr.'s candidacy was supported by billionaire Timothy Mellon, a major donor to MAGA Inc. , suggesting that Kennedy Jr. is a technical candidate who was nominated in Trump's interests.
This differs from the approach of Donald Trump supporters. “Make America Great Again” super PACs that characterize Kennedy Jr. as “far-left” candidate.
Statements from representatives of both campaigns underscore their shared concern that Kennedy could pull votes away from both Trump and Biden.
Prepared by Sergei Daga