Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a candidate who once sought the Democratic nomination, is set to rock the political arena with the announcement of his Vice Presidential pick for his independent White House bid. His campaign gears up for a major event in Oakland, California, where Kennedy's choice will be revealed, a decision that could intensify the race against incumbent President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Kennedy's team has hinted at a variety of potential running mates, from NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers to philanthropist Nicole Shanahan, stirring widespread speculation.
Kennedy's anticipated announcement will occur today at the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts, and it will be live-streamed on the campaign's YouTube channel, according to details from Kennedy's own campaign website. As the race heats up, Democrats have expressed concern that Kennedy's independent campaign could siphon votes from Biden, potentially aiding a Trump victory. Kennedy, without the support of a major political party, faces the challenging requirement to secure a place on the ballot in all 50 states – a feat that necessitates declaring a VP candidate early in the process, especially given the states' varied ballot access rules.
Despite the uphill battle for independent candidates, Kennedy's campaign claims success in surpassing its ballot access benchmarks, and, as of now, is officially on the ballot in Utah. Additionally, a report by the Associated Press indicates that Kennedy has potentially collected enough signatures to qualify in key swing states like Arizona, Nevada, and Georgia, but these have yet to be formally verified by election officials.
Kennedy's campaign has seen a surge in popularity particularly among younger voters, as evidenced by a Quinnipiac poll placing him ahead of both Biden and Trump nationwide among voters under 35. In a bid to rally this broadening supporter base, Kennedy will assert his core campaign tenets, such as restoring the middle class, ending the chronic disease epidemic, and tackling corporate influence over government agencies. His independent stance aligns with the 43% of U.S. adults that identify as independents, potentially tapping into a significant portion of the electorate dissatisfied with the traditional two-party system.
Poll data, including that from NBC and CNN, has shown that Kennedy's appeal is not limited to the young; he's also in a three-way tie with Biden and Trump among Latino voters and leads among independents. Kennedy's campaign, dedicated to ensuring his presence on the ballot in every state, commenced its petition gathering in Texas on Tuesday and has plans to initiate more in other states before the month's end. Addressing corruption and corporate influence, Kennedy forcefully declared his independence from the two-party stranglehold three months ago in Philadelphia, standing beside the etched words "We the People" at the National Constitution Center – a phrase emblematic of the United States' founding principles of governance by and for the people.
