The sister of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has admitted the real reason she is so opposed to her brother’s presidential campaign.
As an independent candidate, RFK Jr. is appealing to both elements of the right and the left with a unique campaign that is centered around taking on America’s deep state.
The Kennedy family, meanwhile, have repeatedly denounced their relative’s efforts and are increasingly concerned that his broadly left-wing positions may siphon votes from Joe Biden.
Among them is RFK Jr.’s sister Rory, who explained in an interview with CNN on Monday why she feels it is “dangerous” to support her brother’s campaign:
It is really about siphoning votes from Biden. The polls I am seeing Bobby is taking 70 percent of the votes from Biden and 30 percent from Trump. I feel strongly that this is the most important election of our lifetime.
And there’s so much at stake, and I do think it’s going to come down to a handful of votes and a handful of states.I do worry that Bobby just taking some percentage of votes from Biden could shift the election and lead to Trump’s election.
Why does Rory Kennedy call her brother, RFK Jr.’s, presidential campaign “dangerous”?
— Erin Burnett OutFront (@OutFrontCNN) March 26, 2024
“It’s really about siphoning votes from Biden,” she tells OutFront pic.twitter.com/N2ZjYOuUGG
Last year, Rory was among four of RFK Jr.’s siblings to attack their brother over his decision to run as a third-party candidate, describing his candidacy as “perilous” to the country:
Bobby might share the same name as our father, but he does not share the same values, vision or judgment. Today’s announcement is deeply saddening for us. We denounce his candidacy and believe it to be perilous for our country.
Bobby might share the same name as our father, but he does not share the same values, vision or judgment. Today's announcement is deeply saddening for us. We denounce his candidacy and believe it to be perilous for our country. @roryekennedy @joekennedy @KKT_Kennedy pic.twitter.com/WJfGwSxN1z
— Kerry Kennedy (@KerryKennedyRFK) October 9, 2023
Rory’s warning came just before RFK Jr. announced Nicole Shanahan as his running mate during an event in Oakland, California, sparking further concern among the Biden campaign that he could take votes away from the incumbent.
Shanahan has previously donated and held fundraisers for a range of Democratic candidates, including current Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and self-help guru Marianne Williamson. As the former wife of billionaire Google co-founder Sergey Brin, she may also help provide financial muscle to the campaign.
RFK Jr. Announces His VP https://t.co/28MMUmYUSa
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) March 26, 2024
“I wanted a partner who is a gifted administrator but also possesses the gift of curiosity, an open, inquiring mind, and the confidence to change even her strongest opinions in the face of contrary evidence,” said Kennedy during his announcement. “I wanted someone with a spiritual dimension and compassion and idealism and, above all, a deep love of the United States of America.”
Shanahan, meanwhile, also used the announcement as confirmation that she was leaving the Democratic Party. “I am leaving the Democratic Party,” she told supporters. “I do believe they’ve lost their way and their leadership.”
