Democrats anticipate that the hearing involving RFK Jr. will ultimately harm Republicans and the primary challenger to President Biden.
Democratic presidential candidate Robert Kennedy Jr. takes on Congress
Robert Kennedy Jr., a Democratic presidential candidate, recently made a powerful appearance before the House Judiciary Committee panel on federal government censorship. This high-profile event not only put Kennedy in the spotlight but also provided an unexpected opportunity for the GOP to promote one of President Joe Biden’s primary opponents and potentially embarrass the incumbent.
“But it’s likely to backfire on them,” says Democratic strategist Mark Mellman. “The more Democrats hear what this Kennedy has to say, the less they like him.”
Jim Kessler, the policy executive vice president of centrist Democratic think tank Third Way, also believes that the hearing “backfired” on Kennedy. He argues that the Republican Party used Kennedy for their own agenda, leaving him feeling uncomfortable and ultimately diminishing his chances of becoming a serious Democratic candidate.
While Kennedy may not pose a significant threat to Biden’s nomination, his polling and fundraising numbers do undermine the president. According to RealClearPolitics, Biden’s average job approval-disapproval rating is 41%-53%, while he enjoys 66% support in Democratic primary polls. In contrast, Kennedy has surprised political pundits by averaging 14% in the polls.
Patrick Murray, the director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, suggests that some Democrats may have a favorable opinion of Kennedy simply because of his last name, rather than his actual positions. The hearings could potentially reveal how out of step he is with the party.
Controversial remarks and criticism
Kennedy’s campaign has not been without controversy. His comments about COVID-19 being “targeted to” certain ethnicities and his views on vaccines and medications have drawn criticism from both Democrats and the White House.
“The claims made on that tape are false. It is vile. They put our fellow Americans in danger,” says White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. “It is important that we essentially speak out when we hear those claims made more broadly.”
Democrats have even called for Kennedy to be disinvited from certain hearings due to his controversial remarks. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries accuses Kennedy of being a pawn in a right-wing political operation aimed at taking down President Joe Biden.
During the hearing, Kennedy vehemently defended himself and his campaign, denying accusations of racism and antisemitism. He emphasized that the criticisms against him were defamatory and aimed at censoring his message.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how Kennedy’s candidacy will impact the Democratic primary and the overall race for the presidency.
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