Kennedy clan endorses Biden against RFK Jr.
WASHINGTON — A broad coalition of the Kennedy family endorsed President Joe Biden on Thursday at a campaign rally in Philadelphia, pointedly rejecting one of their own in Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the independent candidate who many Democrats believe poses a significant threat to Biden’s reelection chances.
Among the relatives of Kennedy Jr. who backed Biden were his siblings Joseph, Kerry, Rory, Kathleen, Maxwell and Christopher.
Roughly a dozen Kennedys appeared at the rally, where Kerry Kennedy introduced Biden. Joe Kennedy III, and a former Democratic member of Congress from Massachusetts, was expected to introduce the president at a second event.
“Nearly every single grandchild of Joe and Rose Kennedy supports Joe Biden. That’s right, the Kennedy family endorses Joe Biden for president.”
Accepting the endorsement, Biden said that Robert F. Kennedy’s “passion and courage inspired my generation,” recounting his speech which called for peace after the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
The show of force by the Kennedys sent the clearest signal yet that America’s most storied Democratic family is deeply fearful that one of its own could tip the 2024 election to former President Donald Trump, and hopes to use its influence to try to stop him.
Many family members have previously expressed strong disapproval of RFK Jr.’s candidacy, voicing anguish about his promotion of conspiracy theories and confusion about why he is challenging a Democratic president they admire.
Still, the symbolic repudiation of Kennedy Jr. was not subtle.
With the election months away, and Kennedy Jr. still pursuing access to the ballot in many states, it’s hard to know whether he would draw more votes from Trump or Biden’s camp.
Biden’s rally in Philadelphia is the final major stop in a threeday swing through Pennsylvania.
During the trip, he laid out his economic and tax agenda, repeatedly attacking Trump as wealthy, out of touch and an enemy of working people.