In a move that has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a Democrat presidential candidate, has decided to exit the Democrat party and run for president as an Independent. According to a report by Mediaite, Kennedy plans to announce his independent candidacy on October 9 in Pennsylvania. This decision comes as Kennedy feels that the Democrat National Committee (DNC) is altering the rules to exclude him, leaving an independent run as his only viable option.
Kennedy's campaign is not just stopping at the announcement. They plan to launch "attack ads" against the DNC to pave the way for his independent candidacy. This aligns with Kennedy's earlier remarks that the DNC is "trying to make sure that I can't participate at all in the political process." He has confirmed that he will make a "major announcement" in Philadelphia, where he will share his "path to the White House and how we can all participate in healing our nation."
Kennedy's decision to run as an Independent could have significant ramifications for the 2023 presidential race. While President Joe Biden currently holds a large polling advantage over Kennedy, the latter has surged in early primary states like South Carolina. Democrat operatives are concerned that Kennedy's independent run could siphon votes away from Biden's base, potentially altering the outcome of the election.
"We've been very clear that third parties in close elections can be very dangerous and would almost certainly hurt the president,"
Matt Bennett, co-founder of Third Way, a Democrat group aiming to prevent a third-party ticket.
Interestingly, Kennedy met with Libertarian Party chair Angela McArdle in July, emphasizing that he considered himself "very libertarian." The two were "aligned on a lot of issues," including concerns about the "deep state," adding another layer of complexity to Kennedy's independent run.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s decision to exit the Democrat party and run as an Independent is a pivotal moment in American politics. It not only challenges the established norms but also opens up new avenues for political discourse. As the nation waits for his major announcement on October 9, one thing is clear: the 2023 presidential race just got a lot more interesting.
Note: This article is based on information from a Breitbart report.