RFK Jr. losing support among Democrats, gaining support among Republicans poll
RFK Jr. losing support among Democrats, gaining support among Republicans poll
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Journey in the Democratic Presidential Race
Before Robert F. Kennedy Jr. threw his hat into the 2024 Democratic presidential primary, he was already a recognizable figure as a member of one of America’s most celebrated political families. His last name alone caught the attention of many, but it was his controversial remarks that began to shape opinions about him among party members.
In early April, Kennedy Jr. enjoyed a 42% approval rating from all voters, as per a Morning Consult survey. The survey indicated that only 24% of voters disapproved of him. Even though Kennedy Jr. was running against President Joe Biden, the Democratic Party’s 2020 nominee, he still held a favorability rating of 46% among likely Democratic primary voters in April. Among likely GOP voters during the same month, 42% had a favorable view of Kennedy Jr., while 25% viewed him unfavorably.
However, in recent weeks, the support Kennedy Jr. initially garnered from Democratic voters has rapidly declined, mainly due to a series of controversies surrounding his views. According to Morning Consult, 41% of likely Democratic voters now disapprove of him, while 38% still approve. This significant drop in support can be attributed to Kennedy Jr.’s expressed views that have generated sharp criticism. For instance, he baselessly suggested that COVID-19 was “ethnically targeted” towards specific races, while deliberately leaving out Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese people.
These controversial remarks have pushed many Democrats to draw the line on their support, despite being open to the idea of a competitive primary against Biden due to concerns about his advanced age. Kennedy Jr.’s favorability among likely Republican voters is now at an astonishing 50%, with only 27% viewing him unfavorably. This scenario is nearly unheard of for a candidate running in an opposing party during a presidential race.
Kennedy Jr.’s COVID-19-related comments created outrage among the public, including members of his own family. In a video posted by The New York Post, he contended that there was an “argument” that the virus targeted certain groups. This prompted condemnation from his sister Kerry Kennedy and nephew Joe Kennedy III.
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On Thursday, Kennedy Jr. appeared before the House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, a panel mainly comprised of Republicans investigating federal law enforcement agencies. During the hearing, he disputed being “anti-vax” and faced accusations of making “despicable antisemitic and anti-Asian comments” by Democratic Representative Debbie Wasserman-Schultz of Florida. She sought to have him removed from the panel but was unsuccessful.
In the midst of the pandemic, Republicans largely opposed vaccine requirements and mask mandates. Former President Donald Trump touted the distribution of vaccines while the party remained steadfast against COVID-19 restrictions. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a rising figure in Republican politics, has even mentioned considering Kennedy Jr. for a position at the Food and Drug Administration or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should he win the presidency.
Although the name Kennedy evokes admiration for his father’s civil rights advocacy and the tragic events surrounding his assassination in 1968, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s candidacy is slowly alienating the very voters he needs to compete with Biden in the upcoming primary. As Democratic support falters, Kennedy Jr.’s favorability among Republicans continues to grow, creating a complex dynamic in the race for the Democratic nomination.
