The Biden campaign announced Thursday that more than a dozen members of the Kennedy family will support President Joe Biden for a second term over family member Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
As Democrats worry that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s candidacy poses a spoiler risk and could hand the election to former President Donald Trump, the Kennedy family has stepped up its involvement in the Biden campaign and We are working to improve his odds.
The independent candidate’s nephew, former Congressman Joseph Kennedy III, said in an interview that he believed his uncle’s candidacy “posed a threat to the country I love and the values I hold.”
“We believe his candidacy is likely to shift support away from President Biden and ultimately increase support for Donald Trump,” he said.
The 15 members of the Kennedy family who have announced their support include the candidate’s siblings Rory Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, Joseph Kennedy II, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Christopher Kennedy, and Maxwell Kennedy Sr. It is included.
A person familiar with the Biden campaign’s plans said the endorsement had been “months in the making,” adding that families had come forward to “do something to show solidarity with the president.” .
Joseph Kennedy III, the Biden administration’s special envoy to Northern Ireland, said the family’s support was aimed at blunting support from third parties who could “siphon votes” from the president.
“We are concerned not only about the risks that Mr. Bobby’s candidacy represents, but also about who Joe Biden is, what Joe Biden has done, and what Joe Biden will do with four more years in office. “I would like to make that claim based on this,” he said.
Joseph Kennedy III acknowledged that the endorsement contained “defiant” sentiments, but said, “This is something we believe must be done.”
“Bobby knows we support him as a family member, while at the same time being able to send a clear message that his candidacy poses a risk to the country we love,” Young said. Kennedy said.
The family plans to formally endorse the candidate at an event in Philadelphia, where the candidate’s sister, Kelly, will give a speech.
“I can say with the same sense of urgency that today, our rights and freedoms are once again at risk,” he said in a statement prepared by the Biden campaign. “That’s why we all need to come together in a campaign that unites all Americans who believe in Lincoln’s better angels, not just Democrats, but Republicans and independents.”
Kerry Kennedy plans to directly attack Trump and subpoena her father, Robert F. Kennedy, according to excerpts of prepared remarks. Only excerpts of the prepared speech were shared with the press, but the prepared speech does not appear to mention her brother.
“I can only imagine how Donald Trump’s outrageous lies and actions must have shocked his father, Robert F. Kennedy, who proudly served as Attorney General of the United States and kept his promise to uphold the law and protect our country. I can’t,” she says. Before you compare Biden to her father, say this.
After the speech, Biden and Kennedy family members will hold a campaign event where Joseph Kennedy III will introduce Biden.
The campaign said family members will also be calling voters and knocking on doors.
The Kennedy family has praised Biden and promoted images of the family posing with him, including a St. Patrick’s Day photo of three generations of Kennedys with Biden.
Similarly, Biden described Robert F. Kennedy as a political hero who “left corporate law early in his career to become a public defender and then inspired him to run for public office.” the camp said. Biden also has a bust of Kennedy, who served as attorney general in his brother John’s administration, in the Oval Office.
Some family members have been more outspoken in their criticism of Robert Kennedy Jr. For example, when Stephen Kennedy Smith referred to his cousin’s “misplaced positions on issues, his poor judgment, and tenuous relationship with the truth” on social media. ”
“I love my brother and it hurts to run against him, but I’m very concerned about the stakes of this election,” Rory Kennedy said in an interview on MSNBC this month.
“I’m concerned that his campaign and his independent candidacy will lead to Trump’s election,” he added.
Earlier this month, Robert Kennedy Jr. responded to his family’s criticism of his campaign, telling CNN’s Erin Burnett, “I don’t know anyone in America whose family agrees with me on everything.” Ta. He reiterated that he loves his family and understands “why they don’t like me running.”
One member of a large political family said the campaign intentionally limited the event to close family members, including a few of the candidates’ siblings.
“The event will only be attended by RFK’s immediate family, so that Bobby cannot rely on claims that he has a large family…and we don’t all agree.” said a family member. About how RFK Jr. has previously dodged questions about his family’s criticism of his campaign.
“The message is clear that Bobby’s own brothers and sisters support the president,” the source added.
Joseph Kennedy III was sympathetic to the security concerns raised by his uncle regarding his refusal to request Secret Service protection. The younger Kennedy said he didn’t know about the specific threat assessment, but added, “I want my uncle, like any other person running for public office, to have the security necessary to run an election.” “I would like to ensure that security is ensured.” “
Opinion polls point toward a close race between Mr. Biden and Mr. Trump, and a high-profile third-party candidate like Mr. Kennedy could further sway the prospects of both candidates. According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, if a presidential election were held in March with three candidates: Biden, Trump, and Kennedy, Kennedy would receive about 16% of the vote.
