The recent announcement of Robert Kennedy, Jr.’s running mate as an independent presidential candidate has stirred up a frenzy within the Democratic Party, who view him as a threat to their re-election efforts. Kennedy’s ties to the iconic Kennedy family and his criticism of Joe Biden’s leadership have made him a target for attacks from the left. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has even hosted calls expressing concerns about Kennedy’s candidacy, labelling him as a spoiler. Despite being from a historically prominent Democratic family, Kennedy’s decision to run as an independent has caused a rift within the party.
Many Democratic strategists have taken to social media to attack Kennedy and his running mate, Nicole Shanahan, accusing her of buying her way onto the ticket by donating money to boost Kennedy’s campaign. Despite these attacks, recent polls suggest that Kennedy, along with other independent candidates, could potentially draw support away from both Biden and Trump. The Biden administration’s refusal to grant Kennedy Secret Service protection, despite growing threats, is seen as a further indication of his fall from grace within the Democratic Party.
There is speculation that Democrats are concerned about Kennedy’s candidacy because certain demographics within the party, such as young voters, moderates, and minorities, are gravitating towards his positions. The fear of history repeating itself, with third-party candidates like Ralph Nader and Jill Stein affecting election outcomes, has led Democrats to attempt to prevent Kennedy from appearing on the general election ballot. By trying to limit choices at the ballot box, Democrats are accused of undermining democracy in their pursuit of retaining power.
Kennedy’s popularity and momentum have caused panic within the Democratic Party, who are actively working to undermine his candidacy by attacking him on social media and attempting to prevent him from appearing on state ballots. The party’s efforts to keep Kennedy out of the Democratic primary and off the ballot as a third-party candidate are seen as contradictory to their stated goal of protecting democracy. Republican strategists have criticized the Democrats for resorting to such tactics, suggesting that their actions are motivated by a desire to maintain control and power.
Kennedy’s announcement of his running mate has brought renewed attention to his campaign and has the potential to boost his access to the presidential ballot. Despite facing fierce opposition from the Democratic Party and other critics, Kennedy’s decision to run as an independent reflects his dissatisfaction with the current political landscape and his desire to offer voters an alternative choice. The backlash from the left highlights the challenges faced by independent candidates in a system that often favors the two major parties.
