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Biden to win Kennedy family endorsement in hit to Robert F Kennedy Jnr’s White House bid
- Many in Robert F Kennedy Jnr’s elite family – prominent Democrats since the 19th century – have broken with him over his views
- Both Biden, and rival Donald Trump have bristled over the possibility that Kennedy, a prominent anti-vaxxer, could spoil their chances of an election win
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More than 15 members of the storied Kennedy political family will endorse US President Joe Biden at a Philadelphia campaign event on Thursday in a rebuke of Robert F Kennedy Jnr’s independent bid for office.
Biden, a Democrat, faces Republican Donald Trump in a November rematch of the 2020 election. But members of both parties have bristled over the possibility that the candidacy of Kennedy, a prominent anti-vaccine activist, or another third-party bid could spoil either of their chances.
Kennedy, son of the assassinated US senator and presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy, made his name as an environmental lawyer, before becoming known as an anti-vaccine advocate, and with an eclectic mix of political views. He is backed by 15 per cent of registered voters, versus 39 per cent for Biden and 38 per cent for Trump, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll.
I can only imagine how Donald Trump’s outrageous lies and behaviour would have horrified my father, Robert F. Kennedy
Many in Robert F Kennedy Jnr’s elite family – prominent Democrats since the 19th century – have broken with him over his views.
“I can only imagine how Donald Trump’s outrageous lies and behaviour would have horrified my father, Robert F Kennedy,” Robert F Kennedy Jnr’s younger sister Kerry Kennedy will say at the Biden campaign event, according to prepared remarks.
“Daddy stood for equal justice, human rights, and freedom from want and fear. Just as President Biden does today.”
Kerry Kennedy and other members of the family are then expected to join local volunteers in door-knocking and phone-banking on Biden’s behalf, campaign aides said.
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