According to a report in RedState, Rory Kennedy, sister of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK), and several other members of the Kennedy clan are concerned that voting for a third-party candidate would lead to a victory for former President Donald Trump.
Concerned, Rory recently warned voters that it is “dangerous” to support RFK’s campaign.
RFK has garnered substantial support in his presidential run. Several polls indicate he would receive more than 10% of the vote in November, and most of those who would likely vote for President Joe Biden if he were not on the ballot would likely vote for him.
During a recent CNN interview, Rory clarified her concerns, explaining that voting for RFK was tantamount to voting for Trump.
“It is really about siphoning votes from Biden,” Rory said. “The polls I am seeing Bobby is taking 70 percent of the votes from Biden and 30 percent from Trump.”
Rory noted that the vast difference between Biden’s and former President Donald Trump’s politics makes 2024 “the most important election of our lifetime.”
“There’s so much at stake, Rory said. “I do think it’s going to come down to a handful of votes and a handful of states. I do worry that Bobby just taking some percentage of votes from Biden could shift the election and lead to Trump’s election.”
In a private post, Rory elaborated on her view that America would be in peril if Trump returned to the white house.
“I have deep concerns about Trump and what his intention is for the future of our country,” said Rory. “I think he has a very concerning record … and from everything I’ve read and everything I’ve seen from his actions, he is really heading towards creating a country here that is largely unrecognizable.”
Others in the Kennedy family share Rory’s concerns. Last October, Kerry Kennedy posted, “Bobby might share the same name as our father, but he does not share the same values, vision, or judgment.”
Kerry added: “We denounce his candidacy and believe it to be perilous for our country.” Rory Kennedy, Hon. Joseph P. Kennedy II and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend co-signed her post.
Bobby might share the same name as our father, but he does not share the same values, vision or judgment. Today's announcement is deeply saddening for us. We denounce his candidacy and believe it to be perilous for our country. @roryekennedy @joekennedy @KKT_Kennedy pic.twitter.com/WJfGwSxN1z
— Kerry Kennedy (@KerryKennedyRFK) October 9, 2023
On Monday, RFK announced that Nicole Shanahan would be his running mate. Relatively unknown in political circles, Shanahan is an attorney and a philanthropist who has donated to progressive causes and candidates, including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, President Biden, and former presidential candidate Marianne Williamson.
In announcing his choice, RFK said that Shanahan is a “gifted administrator but also possesses the gift of curiosity, an open, inquiring mind.”
RFK’s rise in the polls and apparent commitment to advancing his campaign, as evidenced by his recent running mate announcement, have reportedly put the Democratic National Committee (DNC) in “panic mode.”
The Hill reported that immediately after RFK’s announcement, the DNC coordinated a call with select members of the press, during which Pennsylvania Lieutenant Gov. Austin Davis said:
“We are doing everything in our power to get President Biden and Vice President Harris reelected. It’s critical that we take seriously every possible obstacle to that goal. And let me be clear, that’s exactly what Robert F. Kennedy is in this election. He’s a spoiler.”
