Kennedy Family Endorses Biden
In a show of political unity– or betrayal against one of their own– the members of the Kennedy clan united in support of President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign. The prominent Democratic political family endorsed Biden over their own relative, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.), who is running as a third party candidate to unseat Biden in November.
The Significance of the Endorsement
The threat of a third-party candidate potentially siphoning votes from the two main parties was likely an impetus for the Kennedy family to step out in their endorsement of Biden at a campaign event in Philadelphia.
Need to Consolidate Democratic and Left-of-Center Votes
The Democratic Party is trying to maintain all votes that are likely to flow to left-of-center candidates, and consolidating support from the Kennedy family will provide somewhat of a stamp of approval from the family that Biden is the candidate that reflects their values despite an alternative candidate carrying their name.
Event Details
Dozens of members of the extended Kennedy family gathered at a fundraiser for President Biden in Philadelphia to show their support for the Democratic nominee for President, despite their own relative running as an independent candidate for the presidency.
Kerry Kennedy’s Remarks
Kerry Kennedy, RFK Jr.’s sister, spoke at the fundraiser and invoked the legacy of her father, the original Robert F. Kennedy, and her uncles. She claimed that Biden is still promoting the ideals her relatives have fought for for decades.
Biden vs. Trump
In her remarks, Kerry Kennedy spoke to a contrast between Biden and Trump, stating that while Trump’s presidency would lead to four more years of divisiveness and chaos, a second Biden Presidency would further the values the Kennedy family holds dear.
Biden’s Policies Praised
Specifically, Kerry Kennedy praised President Biden for championing the working class, supporting labor unions, and being committed to improving access to education.
The Threat of a Split Vote
The Kennedy family has spoken out about the threat of her brother’s third-party run, as it would siphon votes from voters who would otherwise support President Biden. At issue was less RFK’s fitness for the role of President, as the sheer pragmatism of the vote being a contest between two primary candidates represented by the two major political parties.
Biden’s Gratitude
Biden expressed gratitude for the endorsement of the prominent Kennedy Family. Subsequently, his campaign has used the endorsement in its efforts to paint the 2024 election as a stark choice between two competing visions for America.
Campaign Activities
The Kennedy family not only showed up to the campaign for the notable endorsement, but they also got to work on the grassroots of campaign efforts, including door-to-door canvassing and phone banking.
Democrats’ Concerns
Democratic and Republican Party officials are both concerned about the impact of a third-party candidate on their voter base. One of the most notable modern examples of a third-party candidate having an impact on electoral outcome was in 1992 when Ross Perot ran as an independent and received 18.9% of the popular vote. Some credit Perot for drawing votes away from the incumbent, George H.W. Bush, and leading to the victory of Democrat Bill Clinton.
Electoral Challenges
Third-party candidates like RFK, Jr. often face significant obstacles, including comparatively low media coverage, more difficulty getting on the ballot with a lesser given voter base, and the electoral system which favors a “winner takes all” strategy, where third-party candidates almost always receive zero votes, despite their performance in the popular vote of the state as a whole.
Impact of Third-Party Candidates on Policy and Debate
Third Party Candidates can impact national policy debates even if they do not win or do not progress to the final vote in November. These candidates often bring up issues with which some sectors of the populace are disconcerted and may find salient. These may be topics that are largely ignored in the platforms of the major two parties, and if may force the primary candidates to take a position on the issue.
Voter Sentiment and Dissatisfaction
One of the reasons most political insiders believe an RFK, Jr. Presidency is attractive to some voters is due to dissatisfaction with the alternatives. Polls show that the approval ratings for both Trump and Biden are lackluster, and a viable alternative might be energizing to the electorate. It is in this environment that a third party candidate might have the most sway and pull the most votes away from the major parties.
Long-Term Implications
The Kennedy family has resolved to express their satisfaction with the Democratic nominee. This endorsement from the prominent Democratic party goes far in establishing that the family does not consider Biden an unsatisfactory candidate, so much so that they are willing to endorse the current President over their own blood relative.
