RFK Jr. remains a focal point of attention and controversy due to his positions.

Greeted by a Sizable‍ Crowd

Greeted⁢ by a sizable‌ crowd chanting “Bobby, Bobby, Bobby” at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 12, Democratic ⁤presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that he would support a national ban on ‍abortion ⁤after the first three months of pregnancy if elected.

The next morning, a ⁤campaign spokesperson said, “Mr.‌ Kennedy misunderstood a question posed to him ⁢by⁢ an NBC reporter in a crowded, noisy exhibit ⁣hall at the Iowa State Fair.

“Mr. Kennedy’s position on abortion is that it is ⁤always the woman’s right to ​choose. He does not support legislation banning ‌abortion,” the spokesperson noted.

NBC News congressional reporter Ali Vitali asked the question. Following the response from Mr. Kennedy’s campaign, Ms. Vitali posted ⁤a transcript of her complete exchange with Mr. Kennedy at X, the social media platform⁣ formerly known as Twitter.

“Here’s the full exchange with Kennedy, in which I ask the questions multiple times to make sure we’re ⁣understanding—even at one point ⁢saying ‌I was ⁢surprised by the stance,” Ms. Vitali said in ​her post.

Also⁤ on Aug. 13, Mr.‍ Kennedy told ​NBC, “I believe a decision to abort a child ‌should be ⁤up to the women during the first three months of life.

“Once⁣ a child is viable, outside the womb, I think ‌then⁣ the state⁢ has an interest in protecting the child,” Mr. Kennedy said. “I’m⁣ for medical freedom. Individuals are able to make their own ⁣choices.”

When Mr. Kennedy delivered his original comments about abortion on Aug. 12, the Susan B. Anthony List, ⁢a leading conservative anti-abortion organization, praised his position, describing it in a statement as “a stark contrast to the ⁤Democratic Party’s radical stance of ‍abortion on demand. Kennedy ​is one of the few prominent Democrats aligned with the consensus of the people today. Every candidate should be asked, ‘Where do you draw the line?’”

Abortion a Hot-Button Issue

Abortion ⁤is expected to be a hot-button issue in the 2024 presidential election and in 2024 U.S.⁣ Senate and House races.

Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe⁤ v. Wade, which​ gave the​ constitutional right for women to have ‌abortions around ​50 years ago. Since then, several Republican-led states have introduced ⁣or enacted abortion bans or restrictions.

Some states have rejected initiatives to ban or restrict abortions. Last week, Ohio voters rejected‌ a measure that would have required 60 percent support to pass ⁤a ‌constitutional amendment ⁣instead of the⁤ current 50 percent plus one format. In November, Ohioans‍ will ⁢head to the polls to determine⁢ if a ⁣ballot measure will enshrine abortion ‍rights into the state’s constitution.

Mr. ⁢Kennedy’s‌ stance on abortion could have an impact on his‍ support from conservatives in the 2024 Democratic primary.

Since announcing his candidacy⁣ to challenge President Joe Biden in the 2024 Democratic primary, Mr. Kennedy​ has gained support from conservatives, moderates, independents, and liberals. ​He⁢ has also generated criticism from people⁤ from⁤ each group for certain stances.

Some conservative voters in ​states with open primaries have told The Epoch Times that they will cast their ballot⁣ for Mr. Kennedy.

RFK Jr. Has High Favorability

Days ⁤after a House hearing on censorship last month that saw Democrats attempt to ⁣prevent Mr. Kennedy from testifying, a Harvard-Harris poll showed that ⁤he has a higher favorability ⁤rating than any other presidential candidate.

Mr. Kennedy saw a favorable rating of 47 percent and a unfavorable mark of 26 ⁢percent, according to the survey, which was released on July 23 ​and conducted July 19–20⁣ among 2,068 registered voters.

Former president Donald Trump carried a favorability rating of 45 percent compared with an unfavorability number of 49 percent. ⁤Florida governor Ron DeSantis had ‍a ‍40 percent favorable rating and 37 percent unfavorable, and President⁣ Joe Biden has 39 percent⁣ favorable and 53 percent unfavorable ratings.

Dismissed as a longshot candidate by many political pundits, Mr. Kennedy also had the highest net ⁣favorability of ⁣all 2024 presidential candidates in a June poll from The Economist/YouGov.

Mr.‌ Kennedy is⁢ the son of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and the nephew of both President John F. Kennedy ​and Sen. Ted Kennedy.

An environmental attorney and the founder of Children’s Health Defense, Mr. Kennedy is widely known for his vocal stance on the dangers⁣ of the COVID-19 vaccines and of vaccines in ⁣general.

Backing from those who are not left-leaning is also mounting because Mr. Kennedy differs from Mr. Biden and progressive Democrats on multiple issues.

Mr. Kennedy has for example, called for de-escalating the⁣ war in Ukraine.

He also has​ said that, initially, ‍he was not in favor of Mr. Trump’s border wall. But after seeing the border firsthand ⁢in Arizona in July, Mr. Kennedy changed ⁣his mind. He said there is a ‍need for increased infrastructure and technology at the border, ​including more segments‌ of ⁤a physical wall, and sensors in areas where a wall isn’t feasible.

About gun control, Mr. Kennedy said, “I do not believe that, within that Second⁤ Amendment, there is ‌anything we can meaningfully do to reduce the trade and the ownership ​of guns.”

“Anybody who tells‍ you ⁤that they’re going to reduce gun violence through gun control at this point, I don’t think is ​being realistic,” he ‌said.​ “I think we⁣ have to think about other ways to reduce that violence.”

Mr. ‍Kennedy did note that he would⁤ sign an assault weapons ban if he were president and the legislation was placed on his desk. He also said at a town hall⁤ in July that  “there will be nobody in the Oval Office ⁣who is more supportive ‍of LGBTQ rights than ‌I am,” and that he would legalize marijuana and psychedelic drugs—all ⁢points that many Democrats favor.

While speaking at the Des Moines Register’s Political Soapbox at ⁤the Iowa State Fair, Mr. Kennedy also said that he would not⁣ serve as Mr. Trump’s running⁢ mate if asked.

He added that he is seeking the presidency “to end the corrupt merger of state and corporate power.”

Opposition to Proposed Pipelines

Mr. Kennedy drew loud applause when he noted ​his opposition to proposed carbon-capture pipelines that ​could cross around Iowa and other‍ Midwestern states.

He also expressed concern about the loss​ of family farms to sprawling stretches of land owned‍ by⁢ big corporations.

Several companies have proposed the construction of pipelines that would carry liquefied carbon dioxide from ethanol plants to other facilities for​ underground burial. The pipelines have generated controversy and opposition from environmental activists and local communities.