While he had already announced his intentions earlier in April, Robert Kennedy Jr. confirmed Wednesday that he will run for president in 2024. In doing so, he becomes the second Democrat to declare his candidacy, after author Marianne Williamson. Of course, the party is still awaiting the decision of Joe Biden, who has not yet made anything official.
Nephew of former President John F. Kennedy and son of Robert Bobby Kennedy, he wants to bring the historic surname back to American national politics. The last of the dynasty to serve in Washington was Edward Ted Kennedy, who served in the Senate from 1962 until 2009, when he died at age 77. Currently, Joe Kennedy III, Bobby's grandson, serves in the Biden administration as the U.S. Special Envoy for Northern Ireland.
Robert Jr. is the first of the family to seek the presidency since 1980, when Ted challenged Jimmy Carter in the Democratic primaries. The campaign launch took place at the Park Plaza Hotel, located in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. "My mission over the next 18 months of this campaign, and throughout my presidency, will be to end the corrupt merger of state and corporate power that now threatens to impose a new kind of corporate feudalism on our country," he assured his supporters.
"This is what happens when you censor someone for 18 years. I got a lot to talk about. They shouldn't have shut me up for that long because now I'm really going to let loose on them for the next 18 months. They're going to hear a lot from me," he added.
🔥 Robert F. Kennedy Jr Announces His Candidacy for President
"This is what happens when you censor somebody for 18 years. I got a lot to talk about. They shouldn't have shut me up for that long because now I'm really going to let loose on them for the next 18 months. They're… pic.twitter.com/5NFNdUSnWz
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) April 19, 2023
Kennedy became the second Democrat to launch his candidacy, behind author Marianne Williamson, who did so in February. Both are awaiting President Biden's decision, which was originally scheduled to be announced in February.
The new candidate also made a reference to his relationship with the president. "My entire family, including myself, has a long-standing personal relationship with President Biden," he said. He then recalled that some relatives are currently working with the White House. "And they are entitled to their beliefs, and I respect their views - and I reciprocate. Is it too much to expect the same thing to happen in our country? Today we have a polarization in our country that is as toxic, as dangerous, as at no time since the Civil War," he continued.
As for his political platform, he indicated that he will seek to lower tensions among Americans by appealing to common values. He also stated that he will try to put an end to the so-called "crony capitalism".
Kennedy, a lawyer and environmental activist, captured national attention during the Coronavirus pandemic when he emphatically showed his concern about vaccines. He even aired his suspicion that the death of baseball star Hank Aaron may have been related to the administration of the COVID vaccine.
