Kennedy May Be Helping The Republicans

Summary

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental lawyer and member of the prominent Kennedy political family, has secured a spot on the presidential ballot in Utah as an Independent, potentially impacting the 2024 election by drawing votes away from President Joe Biden.

Abstract

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., leveraging his family's political legacy, has qualified to appear on the 2024 presidential ballot in Utah. Initially challenging President Joe Biden in the Democratic primary, he shifted to an Independent candidacy. Kennedy's success in gathering the requisite signatures marks the first state where he has secured ballot access. Utah, a traditionally Republican state with a history of supporting former President Donald Trump, may see Kennedy's candidacy as a factor that could siphon votes from Biden, reminiscent of Ralph Nader's impact on the 2000 election. While Kennedy's chances of winning the presidency are slim, his presence in the race could influence the election's outcome, particularly for Biden in closely contested states.

Opinions

Kennedy's qualification for the Utah ballot is seen as significant, given his anti-vaccine stance and the potential impact on the election.
Utah's political landscape, heavily Republican with some dissenting voices like Senator Mitt Romney, suggests that Kennedy's presence on the ballot may not significantly alter the state's electoral college votes.
Some Democrats may view Kennedy as a spoiler, similar to Ralph Nader, who could draw enough votes from Biden to affect the election's outcome unfavorably for the Democrat.
The article implies that Kennedy's candidacy could appeal to voters dissatisfied with both Trump and Biden, positioning himself in the political middle during a time of intense political polarization.

He qualified to be on the ballot in Utah

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is running as an Independent.

As the son of former U.S. Attorney General and U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy and a nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has the famous Kennedy name. He is an environmental lawyer from New York.

He announced last fall that he would challenge President Joe Biden for the Democratic primary, but he then said he would run as an Independent. The Kennedy Family has long been famous as wealthy people who were Democrats.

A story by Hannah Schoenbaum for The Associated Press was titled: “Robert F. Kennedy Jr. qualifies for presidential ballot in Utah, the first state to grant him access.”

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has collected enough signatures to appear on the 2024 presidential ballot in Utah, election officials say, marking the first state where the independent candidate and prominent anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist has qualified.

Kennedy has met the 1,000-signature requirement needed to qualify in Utah and can officially file to run as a presidential candidate in the state before a March 5 deadline, state Elections Director Ryan Cowley said.

Utah is the first state where Kennedy’s campaign submitted signatures and qualified for ballot access, campaign spokesperson Stefanie Spear said. She did not indicate which day he would file for candidacy.

As one of the most red states in the nation, Utah votes largely Republican. All the members of Congress from Utah are Republicans. The state legislature is a majority Republican so they have been able to manipulate the congressional districts in their favor after the census is taken every ten years.

Although Utah’s Senator, Mitt Romney, has spoken out against Trump, the former President continues to have strong support from Utah Republicans. The other Utah Senator has endorsed Trump.

While it is unlikely that an Independent candidate would win the Presidency, Kennedy will undoubtedly take votes away from Biden. It may not matter in a state like Utah, but it could make a difference in other states.

Ralph Nader, who ran as an Independent, was blamed by some Democrats for causing Al Gore to lose in 2000. Gore won the popular vote but lost the electoral college vote which included Florida where Nader took away votes from the Gore, who was the Democrat.

Trump and Biden are criticized for being too old and for not being that popular. Kennedy could hurt both candidates as he plays to the middle during this polarized political climate, but it is probably Biden who would lose more votes because of Kennedy.

[Note: This was reported the early part of January about the Utah primary.]

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