In a political landscape often dominated by two major parties, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s decision to run for president as an independent has certainly shaken things up. His campaign launch, however, was not without its hiccups.
Kennedy Jr. took to the stage to announce his independent presidential campaign, but things quickly went awry. As he prepared to address the crowd, he realized he couldn't find his speech. Frantically searching his jacket and pants, he exclaimed, "I need my speech," before turning to his assistant for help. As he walked off the stage, the audience erupted in laughter. The microphone, still on, picked up his conversation with the assistant, capturing his frustration as he remarked, "You can't read anything. It's upside down! It's upside down." After a brief moment of confusion, Kennedy Jr. returned to the podium, relieved, and began his speech by declaring himself an independent candidate. He emphasized that Americans are "tired of the culture wars" and are "ready to reclaim their freedom and independence."
However, his decision to run as an independent has not been met with universal approval, especially within his own family. A joint statement signed by several family members, including Rory Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, Joseph P. Kennedy II, and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, expressed their disapproval. The statement read, "The decision of our brother Bobby to run as a third party candidate against Joe Biden is dangerous to our country." They further emphasized that while he may share the family name, he does not share their values, vision, or judgment. The family's announcement concluded with a strong denunciation of his candidacy, labeling it as "perilous for our country."
In an appearance on Fox & Friends, Kennedy Jr. opened up about the pain of his family's lack of support. Reflecting on his deep-rooted ties to the Democratic Party, he said, "My father, and my uncles were with leaders of the party. My great-grandfather, Honey Fitz, was the first Irish-Catholic mayor of Boston. My other great-grandfather, Patrick Kennedy, was aboard the Democratic Party. Leaving the party of my family is very, very difficult for me." He further expressed his belief that both major parties are controlled by the same corporate donors, leading to a paralysis in the political system.
In a surprising turn of events, just hours after his announcement, the super PAC supporting Kennedy Jr., American Values 2024, reported that it had raised a staggering $11.28 million. Tony Lyons, a co-founder of the PAC, stated that millions of independent-minded Americans are eager to support an honest Democrat and are more open than ever before to an independent candidate. Lyons also revealed that he is in talks with billionaire-entrepreneur Elon Musk to garner his support. While details of their discussions remain private, Lyons hinted at Musk's enthusiasm, suggesting that the entrepreneur seems excited about joining "the fight."
The PAC's fundraising efforts have attracted a diverse range of donors. While it has received contributions from prominent Democratic donors like Abby Rockefeller, a significant portion of the funds has come from Republican donors, including former Donald Trump donor Tim Mellon. To date, American Values 2024 has raised a total of $28 million.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, Kennedy Jr.'s independent bid promises to be one of the most closely watched campaigns in the lead-up to the 2024 elections.
