Robert F. Kennedy Jr. decides to run as an independent: Why did he separate from the Democratic Party?
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ended his candidacy for the Democratic Party nomination in the 2024 elections and launched his campaign as an independent.
After months of speculation, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. renounced his presidential candidacy to run as an independent, giving up any hope that he would be able to clench the Democratic Party’s nomination.
The news was announced by Kennedy on Monday morning, during an event held at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, a symbolic location being the site where the Declaration of Independence was signed. The speech was packed with references to the Founding Fathers.
“In making an independent run for President, I take inspiration from the one other President who was not a member of a political party. That President was George Washington,” argued Kennedy.
According to the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, his decision to run as an independent is based on a desire to “hand over” power to the American voters, and “take it away” from both major political parties.
“I intend to wrest the reins from both parties and return them to the American people,” said Kennedy.
Kennedy’s run as an independent has not surprised many who have followed his campaign closely. In recent months, political experts have pointed out that the Democratic Party prefers to stick with Biden than elect a new representative. In fact, Kennedy has garnered more support from Republicans than from members of his former party. For the Democrats, Kennedy’s running as a third-party candidate could actually improve President Biden’s chances.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Do you have a chance of winning as an independent candidate?
According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, that asked potential voters who they would cast their ballot in a three-way race between Robert F. Kennedy Jr, Joe Biden, and Donald Trump, the independent candidate’s support stood at fourteen percent.
Although the member of the Kennedy dynasty has positioned himself among the favorite candidates for the presidential elections, the truth is that becoming president of the country as an independent candidate is a great challenge.
In the last century, only one independent candidate has managed to stand out in elections. In 1992, Ross Perot obtained nineteen percent of the popular vote, which translated to zero votes in the Electoral College.