The US presidential election in November will be close. So close that the votes cast for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could be decisive.
The deciding factor is receding, leaving behind a potentially decisive chunk of votes. Between five and nine percent of Americans would currently vote for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – depending on the poll. The number three in the US presidential race has not had this much support for a long time. His share is enough to help the two remaining candidates win in some contested states – and put him or her in the White House.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supports Donald Trump
Now Kennedy has announced his end of the campaign: “I no longer believe that I have a realistic chance of winning the election,” he said. Instead, he will support the Republican candidate Donald Trump. As if to prove his new loyalty, the scion of the famous family appeared on stage next to Trump in Glendale, Arizona.
Appearing somewhat uncomfortable, he spoke with the former president about topics that most Americans are not particularly interested in: chemicals in food and an “independent presidential commission on attempted assassinations.” This should “obtain all the remaining documents on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy,” said the nephew of the famous former head of state.
In 2020, Joe Biden needed 10,000 votes in Arizona
The fact that Kennedy announced his support for Trump in Arizona was of course no coincidence. The vote on November 5 is likely to be so close in many places that even a few thousand votes will decide the victory of one candidate or the other. Such as in Arizona.
In 2020, Joe Biden was 10,457 votes ahead of Donald Trump here in the southwest of the USA. Without this narrow victory, the Democrat might not be in the White House today. And whoever wants to move in there this year should also win here.
Kennedy’s fresh love for Donald Trump
Kennedy’s love for the Republican Trump has only developed in recent months. The Kennedys are actually deeply rooted in the Democratic Party. Both his father, Robert F., who was assassinated in 1968, and his presidential uncle John F. Kennedy were in the left-liberal party. Most recently, almost the entire clan publicly announced its support for Joe Biden.
Bobby Jr. didn’t stray far from the tree either, and planned a career in the spirit of his ancestors. But all the relevant positions were filled, and there was no room even for a Kennedy. The environmental lawyer, who was already of retirement age at 70, turned his back on the party in a huff and ran for the US presidency on his own. Normally, in the two-party system, candidates who are not Republicans or Democrats have no chance. Robert F. Jr. was different.
Successful only in the duel Biden vs. Trump
In his best times, he had ten percent approval ratings. His surname was certainly one reason, another was probably the general dissatisfaction of Americans with the candidates Donald Trump and Joe Biden. The fact that Kennedy cheerfully spread outrageous conspiracy theories did not seem to bother many. For example, he claims that vaccinations lead to autism, Wi-Fi causes cancer and chemicals in the environment turn children into transgender. It is no longer surprising that someone with this worldview tends towards the Trump camp.
But Kennedy was only really successful as the third man in a presidential duel between Biden and Trump. With the withdrawal of the US President and the new candidate Kamala Harris, the dynamics of the election campaign have changed. Since she entered the race, Kennedy’s approval ratings have fallen significantly. Perhaps he was just the mascot of the “double haters”, as those who have nothing for either Biden or Trump are called.
It is not clear whether his supporters will now follow him in the direction of Trump, but it will certainly not harm the conservative presidential candidate.
Sources: “New York Times”, RealClearPolitics, DPA, Reuters, “Business Insider”, ABC News, “Arizona Republic”
