Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s independent bid for the presidency could be taking a sharp turn, with his campaign reportedly considering joining forces with Republican frontrunner Donald Trump.
Nicole Shanahan, Kennedy’s running mate, hinted at this potential alliance during a recent interview, adding that their team is weighing whether to continue their third-party campaign or make the strategic move to align with Trump, as reported by CNBC.
Nicole Shanahan, VP on the Robert Kennedy ticket, says the RFK campaign is currently debating whether to stay in the race or drop out to endorse President Trump. She does not want Kamala to win.pic.twitter.com/iLsSuLEyQ5
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) August 20, 2024
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Shanahan outlined two possible paths forward. One option involves continuing the campaign to secure over 5% of the popular vote, establishing a foundation for a third-party alternative in future elections. However, Shanahan acknowledged the risk of inadvertently aiding a potential Kamala Harris presidency by pulling votes from Trump. The other option? Stepping out of the race and throwing their support behind Trump. “Not an easy decision,” Shanahan admitted in her interview on the “Impact Theory” podcast.
In a twist, Shanahan also teased a potential gubernatorial run in California if she and Kennedy decide to drop out of the race. “I would consider running as well,” she stated, expressing her desire to remain active in California politics.
The impact of a Kennedy-Shanahan exit remains uncertain. Would their supporters rally behind Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance, or scatter to other candidates?
Polls suggest Vice President Harris could gain an edge in swing states if Kennedy isn’t in the mix, raising the stakes of this decision.
Shanahan was clear about her motivations: “I did not put in tens of millions of dollars to be a spoiler candidate.” She emphasized that their campaign was about winning and doing what’s right for the country, not just stirring the pot. “We wanted a fair shot,” she said, reflecting on their journey so far.
Kennedy, for his part, remains open to dialogue across party lines. In a tweet following Shanahan’s interview, Kennedy reiterated his commitment to addressing key issues like chronic disease, corporate corruption, and protecting free speech. He’s not ruling out conversations with any political leader who shares these goals.
As always, I am willing to talk with leaders of any political party to further the goals I have served for 40 years in my career and in this campaign. These are: reversing the chronic disease epidemic, ending the war machine, cleaning corporate influence out of government and…
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) August 20, 2024
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party isn’t taking Shanahan’s comments lightly. Party spokeswoman Lis Smith criticized Shanahan for entertaining various options, from serving in a potential Trump administration to considering a gubernatorial run, while casting doubt on the viability of their campaign. Smith’s harsh words underscore the deep divisions in this race and the high stakes as the campaign season heats up.
Kennedy’s campaign has faced significant challenges, from legal battles over ballot access to lingering doubts about his residency in New York.
Despite these hurdles, the campaign insists it has secured ballot access in all 50 states, though challenges continue in key battlegrounds like Georgia and Pennsylvania.
As Kennedy and Shanahan weigh their options, the future of their campaign—and its potential impact on the 2024 election—remains a significant point of speculation.
This piece was written by LifeZette News Staff on August 20, 2024. It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission.
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