Could RFK Jr. Run as a Democrat? Well, Maybe

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has positioned himself as the primary challenger to Donald Trump following President Joe Biden’s surprise exit from the 2024 presidential race.

At a glance:

• Kennedy calls the presidential contest a “two-person race” after Biden’s withdrawal
• Independent candidate criticizes DNC for “hiding” Biden’s alleged mental decline
• Kennedy expresses willingness to consider Democratic nomination if offered
• Biden endorses Vice President Kamala Harris as potential Democratic nominee

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has declared the 2024 presidential contest a “two man race” between himself and Donald Trump, following President Joe Biden’s unexpected withdrawal from seeking a second term.

Kennedy’s Response to Biden’s Exit

Speaking at a press conference from his family’s compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, Kennedy praised Biden’s public service while criticizing Democratic Party leadership. He accused the Democratic National Committee of concealing Biden’s alleged mental decline from the public.

Kennedy, who left the Democratic Party after being blocked from challenging Biden in the primaries, suggested he is now best positioned to defeat Trump. He argued that his independent candidacy offers an alternative to both major parties, which he claims prioritize corporate interests over those of the American public.

Potential Return to Democratic Party?

While expressing contentment with his independent run, Kennedy indicated he would consider accepting the Democratic nomination if approached by party leaders. However, he acknowledged that his previous departure from the party was due to what he perceived as “rigged” rules preventing him from winning the nomination.

Speaking to The Populist Times, author and counter-extremism researcher Jack Buckby said that it would depend on how concerned the DNC is about losing to Trump.

“The reality is that the DNC would probably rather have Trump in office than Kennedy,” Buckby, the author of pro-Kennedy book “The Truth Teller” said. “The DNC is actively looking for a candidate they can control, and they don’t have that in Kennedy. The polls show that in a two-way race, Kennedy is the only candidate who can beat Trump – so if the DNC actually cared about winning, they’d be calling him. But they’re not. What does that tell you?”

Kennedy could, in theory, seek to register as a Democrat and run as a candidate to replace Joe Biden – but there are so many variables that, at this point, it seems unlikely.

Biden Endorses Harris

In his withdrawal announcement, President Biden offered his “full support and endorsement” to Vice President Kamala Harris as the potential Democratic nominee. Kennedy, however, suggested that nominating Harris would be the “easiest way to hold on to the money” for the Democratic Party, implying it might not be the best strategy to win the election.