RFK Jr.'s Continuation is Not Dependent on Trump's VP Selection | Vanity Fair
Article by Caleb Ecarma
In various surveys, the independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a support range of 5 to 21% among potential voters if competing against Donald Trump and Joe Biden. It appears Kennedy is drawing more voters from Biden than from Trump. However, both parties are seemingly disconcerted by his accumulated support. If this persists until November, it could result in the most formidable third-party performance since Ross Perot’s disruptive campaign in 1992. Especially interesting is how Kennedy, a well known opponent of vaccines and steadily shifting rightwards, has appealed to some of Trump’s supporters.
A report from Politico on Tuesday uncovered that, from October to December, about $224,000 of contributions more than $200 to Kennedy's campaign came from donors of Trump’s 2020 campaign, and $105,000 from donors who supported Biden in the previous cycle. Kennedy garnered over $7 million in contributions in the last quarter of 2023. His candidacy shifted from Democrat to Independent at the beginning of the fourth quarter but the third quarter had already seen more support from Trump donors than Biden ones. According to sources, the impressive $7 million might not be sufficient to account for campaign expenses if spending continues at the current rate. As of 31st December, Kennedy's campaign only had $5.4 million remaining after expending $7.7 million in the last quarter.
Kennedy voiced support for a nationwide abortion restriction (although he later reversed this), defended Israel’s actions in Gaza, sided with Texas during its border skirmish with Biden's administration, and took up a position further right regarding vaccine scepticism. Showing an increasingly conservative and anti-government inclination, this may pave the way for a Libertarian Party collaboration. Doing so could help him appear on most state ballots, instead of him having to gather a significant number of signatures. Asked about this possibility recently, Kennedy revealed to CNN that it was a possibility under consideration due to their strong ties with the Libertarian Party.
Presidential elections usually see the Libertarian Party as the most prominent third-party. In 2020, Jo Jorgensen, the Libertarian nominee, was present on the ballot in all 50 states. Kennedy, scheduled to speak at the California convention of the Libertarian Party next month, assured CNN that irrespective of remaining independent, he will feature on the ballot in all states.
Concurrently, Trump declined the idea of a partnership with Kennedy, America's 35th president's nephew whom he had previously admired during Kennedy's unsuccessful Democratic primary contest against Biden. Trump disparaged Kennedy, describing him as the most extreme leftist potentially in history. He pointed to Kennedy's environmental agenda as a significant issue. Chris LaCivita, an adviser of Trump's campaign, also refuted the rumors, reiterating that they would never approach Kennedy. The feeling appears to be mutual, as Kennedy expressed doubts about the survival of his marriage with the actress Cheryl Hines if he were to run with Trump.
