In an effort to capitalize on the illustrious Democratic lineage and to subtly emphasize the nearly unanimous rejection of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s third-party challenge, President Joe Biden was formally endorsed on Thursday by over a dozen members of the extended Kennedy family.
While RFK Jr. tries to make a name for himself by capitalizing on his surname and family history, the rest of the Kennedy family has mostly avoided his effort, labeling it reckless.
In a reelection campaign when even a third-party candidate with poor performance may be a spoiler, the threat that Kennedy presents to Biden is underscored by Thursday’s gathering in Philadelphia, the same city where RFK Jr. announced his independent candidacy for president in October.
While introducing Biden, Kerry Kennedy, a sister of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. who has been instrumental in her family’s organizing efforts, proclaimed the president to be “a champion for all the rights and freedoms that my father and uncles stood for” and warned that democracy and freedom were threatened by Donald Trump.
She expressed her belief that Donald Trump’s campaign aims to regress the country by undermining fundamental liberties and values that define American identity. “He says he will try to suspend the Constitution and declares he will be a dictator on day one.”
Robert F. Kennedy, who was proud to serve as United States Attorney General and fulfill his promise to defend the country, would have been shocked by Donald Trump’s egregious lies and actions, according to Kennedy.
“United not only Democrats, but all Americans, including Republicans and independents,” she remarked of Biden’s reelection campaign.
Even while she mostly attacked Trump, she did criticize her brother’s campaign while she was at it.
“For the presidency, in 2024, there are only two viable candidates,” she declared.
After Kerry Kennedy finished speaking, Biden looked moved by her comments and said, “Mom and Dad, I hope you were listening.” He then looked up toward the sky.
This was the most profound introduction I have ever had, the president told Kerry.
According to Biden, the legacy of Robert F. Kennedy Sr. was the compass that guided his own political career. Despite accepting a position with a prominent Delaware law firm soon after completing law school, Biden ultimately chose to pursue a career as a public defender.
An explanation he gave to the Kennedys was that he had acted in this way because he believed it was something their father would have done.
Prior to Biden’s address, Robert Kennedy expressed his desire in a Thursday social media post that the political differences within his family might serve as an example for Americans to “restore civility and respect to public discourse.” He also stated his belief that his family is “united in our love for each other.”
Some members of my family reportedly plan to endorse Joe Biden today. Being politically active is a family tradition, so I’m happy for them. Our affection for one another transcends our differences in viewpoint. I also think this may work for the United States. Does it mean we have to hate our opponents if we disagree? Is it possible to bring decorum and respect back to political debate? After much thought, I believe we can,” Kennedy wrote.
Some members of his family work for his campaign, he added. His daughter-in-law, Amaryllis Fox Kennedy, is also his campaign manager.
Following the address, Joe Kennedy III will introduce Joe Biden at a grassroots organizing event where the Kennedys will also be present, along with campaign volunteers and local supporters. After that, relatives would knock on doors and make campaign phone calls.
It’s not new for Biden to try to highlight his relationship to the Kennedys. He has said that Robert F. Kennedy Sr. was a major influence on him when he was running for office. There is a bust of the ex-senator and attorney general in the Oval Office.
Caroline Kennedy, the wife of the late Senator Ted Kennedy, will serve as ambassador to Australia under his administration; Joe Kennedy III will be special envoy to Northern Ireland; and Victoria Reggie Kennedy, who is ambassador to Austria, is another member of his family.
The entire extended family was invited to a reception at the White House on St. Patrick’s Day this year, and they posed for photographs in the Rose Garden with Biden. Maria Shriver is the niece of Robert F. Kennedy and John F. Kennedy; Biden asked her to his State of the Union speech so that she might be recognized for her efforts to improve the health of women.
Some Kennedy relatives have publicly stated their support for Biden’s presidential campaign. A lot of people have tried to separate themselves from RFK Jr.’s campaign for president.
Rory Kennedy, RFK Jr.’s sister, expressed her worry that he would hurt Joe Biden’s chances of beating Trump in an interview that was published last month in HEADLINESFOREVER.
In my opinion, there is no other election like this one, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. And I do believe it will come down to a few votes in a few states, and I am concerned that Bobby’s potential gain in support at the expense of Biden’s could tip the scales in Trump’s favor,” she stated.
RFK Jr. has made efforts to minimize what seems to be a family feud.
“I have a big family, about 105 cousins on the last time we counted,” he told HEADLINESFOREVER’s Erin Burnett earlier this month. I come from a large family. I have never met an American family member who was more in agreement with him than he was.
On Thursday, members of the Kennedy family who were present at Biden’s event included Rory, Kerry, Joe II, Beth, Joe III, Christopher, Maxwell Taylor, Vicki Strauss, Kathleen, Ted Jr., Stephen, Max Meltzer, Kerry Kennedy, Rebeca, and Peter McKelvy.