Washington, (EFE).- Among the followers of Robert F. Kennedy Jr, independent candidate for the presidency of the United States, there are people who identify with the progressive ideas associated with his surname and also conservatives fed up with the acronym MAGA. But they all have something in common: they are tired of politicians and angry with Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
The son of Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy (both assassinated in the 1960s) knows this, and that is why in his speeches he attacks the two and the historic parties they represent, both (in his opinion ) puppets of a system run by large corporations and lobbies.
Both Republicans and Democrats are to blame for the fact that the United States has lost its “moral authority” and “respect worldwide” and that young people say “that they are not proud to be Americans.” This was stated this Friday at the Libertarian Party convention, which is being held these days in Washington.
What is the profile of the possible voters of a candidate who comes from one of the most historic political sagas in the country but who claims to fight for the interests of the middle class, despite betting on reducing spending on health, and constantly embraces the conspiracy theories?
According to the consulting firm Ipsos, the demographic profile of his voters is quite similar to that of the average American and there are no differences by race, age or income, although his supporters are slightly more likely to be women.
There is one trait that separates ‘RFK’ voters from the rest of the United States: their disdain for both Trump and Biden and their dissatisfaction with a political system that has presented the same two candidates for the second consecutive election.
“It appeals to voters far from the dominant bipartisan narrative, those who apparently are liberal on some issues, but libertarian on others,” Sonoma State University Political Science professor David McCuan told EFE.
Kennedy brings together “many disaffected voters from across the political spectrum,” “who are looking for something different,” he adds.
Don Levy, director of the Siena College Research Institute, confirms it: “They are asking for a change, a different Government.”
Although he has no real chance of winning the presidential election on November 5 and for now will only be on the ballot in eight states, Kennedy’s presence could have a great impact, given the narrow margin between Biden and Trump.
In fact, Levy points out, “the only thing that the Trump and Biden campaigns share is that neither of them like the candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy.”
Perhaps that is why Trump refused to debate him this Saturday at the Libertarian Party congress, where he will hold a rally tonight.
Kennedy offered him a debate, as he recalled in Friday’s speech, which was attended by numerous supporters, many members of the Libertarian Party, who will opt for the independent candidate in November.
Also first-time voters like Julio César, an 18-year-old Political Science student of Hispanic origin, who is a volunteer in the campaign. Why will Kennedy be the recipient of his first presidential election?
“No one else has that same vision of helping the middle class. “He talks about things that are interesting, like the quality of our water or the quality of our food,” he tells EFE.
For Tiffany Cianci, content creator on TikTok about “the end of corporate capture in the United States Government,” she explains to EFE, Kennedy embodies just that.
“We have reached a point in American politics where the overwhelming majority of our candidates have been captured by corporate interests and billionaire-funded lobbyists, who bankroll both parties,” he says.
For Matt Chutkan, a 55-year-old businessman, Kennedy is the chosen option because of “his refusal to play the game of partisan hate.”
“Trump and Biden’s insult game is attractive, but the country needs unity. The two-party system is dividing us and at this moment unity must be above politics,” he maintains.
While for John Burke Stringfellow, a 43-year-old former military man, “you couldn’t ask for a better candidate to create the independent party.”
He is aware that he will not win in November, he explains to EFE, but he is confident that, after the elections, “he can lay the foundations” for the movement of change that the country needs.
Keep reading:
- Trump says he would have “no problem” having Kennedy Jr. in the debates if he qualifies
- Kennedy Jr. complains about being excluded from presidential debates between Biden and Trump
- Kennedy Jr. revealed that he has a dead worm in his brain