Democrats are stepping up their criticism of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after he announced his pick of Nicole Shanahan for vice president Tuesday, arguing the duo will benefit former President Trump. Kennedy’s allies say the selection of Shanahan, a philanthropist and patent attorney, will generate buzz for the campaign heading into the general election, while also allowing him to check a necessary box in several states that require an Independent to have a running mate to qualify for their ballots. But many pro-President Biden figures in the party are criticizing Kennedy as a “spoiler” propelled by GOP funds and conspiracy theories, slamming his presidential campaign shortly after he unveiled his running mate in Oakland, Calif. “I am personally offended and just disgusted by his campaign,” Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) said during a call hosted by the Democratic National Committee (DNC). “He should be ashamed of himself. He should stop running for president.” Democrats have disregarded Kennedy during most of the 2024 presidential cycle, speculating that he had no shot of winning the battle for the White House. While Biden’s polling is perilous for an incumbent, many in his orbit have avoided going after Kennedy in order to focus fully on Trump. That apathy toward Kennedy, however, has morphed in recent weeks into anguish and anger. As both parties’ primaries pointed to a Biden-Trump rematch, Democrats started examining more closely the third-party candidate who could create an unpredictable and possibly unfavorable outcome for their side in November. Tasked with enabling a second Biden victory, the DNC has become preoccupied with Kennedy in recent weeks, allotting resources to weaken his campaign and paint him as a helpful reelection tool for Trump. Just after Kennedy made his pick of Shanahan public, the DNC convened a call with elected Democrats from swing states to warn about what Kennedy’s bid could mean for Biden’s chances to beat Trump twice. “He’s a spoiler,” Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis said on the call. “He was drafted into this race by Donald Trump’s top supporters.” “He has no realistic path to victory in Pennsylvania,” he added. Democrats have often sought to tie Kennedy’s campaign to the Trump-aligned GOP. Kennedy himself shares some ideological turf with the MAGA movement, especially on vaccines and his critique of conventional medical and the scientific community. Just before he announced Shanahan, a super PAC aimed at propping up Biden launched a website called rfkjrfacts. The site features composite images of Kennedy and Trump merged together along with figures in the former president’s circle, such as right-wing ally Steve Bannon. “RFK Jr. is a MAGA-backed candidate who is bankrolled by billionaires to help reelect Donald Trump,” text on the landing page reads. “RFK Jr.’s platform is extremely dangerous: he pushes conspiracy theories that divide our country, has made millions of dollars opposing vaccines, and has a history of anti-Black, anti-LGBTQ, and anti-Semitic remarks.” The super PAC, called Clear Choice, also released a new ad that aims to show his ties to Trumpism, including video footage of Kennedy saying he’s “proud” that Trump “likes” him. “Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Nicole Shanahan have only one chance of seeing the inside of the Oval Office: if Trump wins and invites them in to say thank you,” Matt Bennett, executive vice president for public affairs of the Democratic group Third Way, said in a statement. As news circulated that Kennedy was slated to share his running mate on March 26, pro-Biden voices began publicly warning about how he could weaken the president on Election Day. Just a few thousand votes in critical states can sway an election that’s projected to be close, and Democrats have seen their party hampered by third-party candidates such as Green Party nominee Jill Stein in 2016.
Yeah,Biden supporters. For the anti Biden crowd we are happy as the news just gets better by the day.
Every black vote away from The Democrat Party is a win.Its good to see RFK trying to earn their votes.
One of the things that will help Bobby to get another- at least ten or more- points is that No Labels is close to falling out of bed and going tits up. They have run into problems of late- aside from getting on to ballots. First, Joe Manchin confirmed that he will not run with No Labels. Second, Larry Hogan declared that he is running for Senate. Then, today or yesterday, Crotch Christie confirmed that he will not run as third party either. And then, also yesterday, Joe Lieberman passed away as you know. Joe was never a candidate to run but he was one of the chief founders, strategists, shakers and movers that put No Labels together and was doing legwork to make it happen. So No Labels is seemingly having to re-invent itself every other week now. Not looking good. No Label's problems do redound to Bobby's benefit a smidge though. They are both playing over in the same corner of the playground. Even if it is just to compete for a landing spot of the equivalent of "NONE OF THE ABOVE" on ballots. MORE TO COME.
Attention Dmmerrhoids: It has just been announced that at the dem fundraiser in NYC you can get your picture taken with all three attending Presidents for a mere $100,000. Those of you planning to use Canadian currency may want to check the conversion rate in advance. You are welcome.
Covertibility likes polls when they favor Democrats Covertibility says polls are meaningless when they favor Republicans
Tree! I'm sure you already covered this already... but you were right... NBC fired that girl. The RNC woman. Go figure.
I agree with the premise of the headline below, but not necessarily with the "how". Let us harken back to the Ross Perot factor. There was never any real chance that Perot was going to win. I don't think he even got any electoral votes. But in the after action analysis, many of the pundits made the case that he did more damage to H.W. than Clinton himself did. The viewers gobbled up his pithy put downs and blows against Bush that were more impactful than Clinton's. Except the voters were never inclined to vote for Perot in volume. So every blow to H.W. put more points in Clinton's column. Obviously Perot qualified for the debate. And, let us note that RFK already qualifies for the debates unless his numbers weaker. So he has the capacity to get on the stage and do damage against his opponents. Viewers can decide for themselves which one he will damage more- in the minds of independents- not talking about card carrying dems. Bobby and his sidekick Shanaha have lefty cred and can do real damage against the crony beltway dems that Biden represents. And if Biden and his Visiting Angel Kamala pretend to be representing Camp Progressive, Shanahan will expose them. Laissez les bon temps rouler. The Memo: RFK Jr. set to hurt Biden more than Trump — but it’s complicated https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4560660-rfk-jr-biden-trump-impact/