Staff Reports
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appears to be feeling the heat as his poll numbers take a nosedive. Once seen as a formidable third-party contender, Kennedy’s support has plummeted like a lead balloon since President Joe Biden gracefully took a backseat and handed the driver’s seat over to Vice President Kamala Harris. In a baffling twist, it seems Kennedy has decided to throw out feelers for a cozy deal with either Donald Trump or Harris. However, neither camp appears to be interested in playing along.
Kennedy’s self-proclaimed role as the most influential third-party candidate is beginning to sound more like a plea for attention. Following Biden’s exit, his support shrank to an average of 5.5%, down from 8.7% when Biden was still in the race. Meanwhile, Harris and Trump are currently duking it out for first place, with Harris clinging to a slim lead over Trump. With that kind of drop, one has to wonder if Kennedy is still navigating the political waters or merely treading water amid a storm.
Falling in polls, RFK Jr. allegedly eyes a deal with Trump or Harris, but neither seem interested https://t.co/l5o8zpUmOk
— Just the News (@JustTheNews) August 16, 2024
Despite making the ballot in several crucial battleground states, including Texas and Florida, Kennedy seems to have hit a wall in places like New York and California, where he’s been denied a place at the table. A recent ruling from a New York state judge effectively kicked him off the Empire State’s ballot. It’s almost like watching a political reality show where the contestants can’t seem to stay on the stage. With his chances of winning any state looking dim, Kennedy’s newfound charm offensive with the big names seems more about extending his fifteen minutes of fame than solidifying a political legacy.
His overtures to Harris were reportedly met with cold indifference. The Democratic National Committee has no interest in negotiating with what they label a “MAGA-funded fringe candidate.” Meanwhile, Kennedy’s running mate, Nicole Shanahan, took to social media to clarify that there was no negotiation taking place. This lack of enthusiasm from Harris, who has a reputation for avoiding eye contact with logical candidates, combined with the dismissive attitude from the DNC could make Kennedy rethink his strategy—or at least rethink who he’s asking for help.
As for the prospect of cozying up to Trump, that too seems like a long shot. After a meeting following Trump’s assassination attempt, discussions between the two didn’t amount to much. Kennedy may have hoped for a Secret Service badge or a cozy spot in the Trump cabinet, but that plan appears to have hit the cutting room floor. Trump’s campaign didn’t pull any punches, labeling Kennedy a radical environmentalist whose policies are eerily similar to those of Harris. With Trump dismissing him as just another leftist, it looks like Kennedy may find himself on the outside looking in, hoping someone, anyone, will give him the time of day.
