# RFK Jr Files to Run for President (Dropped Out on August 23, 2024) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [April 6, 2023, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260 "2023-04-06T16:36:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2024, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/261 "2024-03-17T02:51:12Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > According to the article, Shanahan’s qualifications include being rich and willingness to make campaign contributions. To be fair, there have been running mates with fewer qualifications. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2024, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/262 "2024-03-17T02:55:12Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Uh, oh, is it time to take Mom’s car keys? Was she favoring Mangoman before? If so, I’d drive her to the polls. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2024, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/263 "2024-03-17T05:50:09Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > “The Bay Area attorney was married to Google’s Brin in 2018 — but they officially divorced last summer after she was [reportedly romantically involved](https://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musk-affair-sergey-brin-wife-divorce-11658674840) with Tesla CEO Elon Musk.” > > So she has great people instincts. You’re correct, but I believe that last sentence should be more like: > So she has great ~~people~~ wallet instincts. She can recognize a large wallet from miles away. Nearly every time. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2024, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/264 "2024-03-17T06:17:07Z")
I was going to say that Aaron Rodgers was the worst pick possible, until I saw the ‘Short list’. He should get Terry Crews. He’s already got relevant Presidential experience. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2024, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/265 "2024-03-17T08:04:13Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > He should get Terry Crews. He’s already got relevant Presidential experience. I bet they’d get a big campaign boost from a Brawndo sponsorship. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2024, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/266 "2024-03-23T00:40:09Z")
Kennedy seems to be having considerable success at getting ballot access: [Will RFK Jr. and third-party contenders even make the ballot in November?](https://abcnews.go.com/538/rfk-jr-party-contenders-make-ballot-november/story?id=108346487) > [@](#): > > Considering this data and where things stand for 2024, it would come as little surprise if the eventual Libertarian nominee and Kennedy each make the ballot in nearly every state. Polls now show Kennedy helping Trump. Perhaps this is because low information Democratic Party voters associate the word Kennedy with their POV without knowing much about him. But once you know more about him, his conspiratorial, distrust-of-experts, mindset looks to be more in Trump’s lane. So, I’m now, as a Democrat, leaning towards his candidacy being politically helpful — while being bad for public health. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2024, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/267 "2024-03-23T00:44:35Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Polls now show Kennedy helping Trump. Polls also showed him with 25% support in the primaries. How’d that work out? ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2024, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/268 "2024-03-23T00:52:04Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Polls also showed him with 25% support in the primaries. How’d that work out? My last post is consistent with Kennedy fading in the stretch, with most of his current if-election-was-today support going to Biden. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2024, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/269 "2024-03-23T14:26:45Z")
Depends entirely on whether the low information D-leaning voter becomes higher information by Election day. Kennedy might well become a sorta popular protest vote by many low info Ds who’ve bought into the “Biden’s too old” narrative being fired at them from so many directions. Of course RFK has less than zero chance of winning the election, or even winning any single state’s popular vote for president. But in every state where RFK appears on the ballot, he will be a joker in the deck for both Ds and Rs. Uncertainly is increased, not decreased by his presence. For my own POV, eliminating that uncertainty is probably a good thing. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2024, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/270 "2024-03-23T15:48:32Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Depends entirely on whether the low information D-leaning voter becomes higher information by Election day. > > Kennedy might well become a sorta popular protest vote by many low info Ds who’ve bought into the “Biden’s too old” narrative being fired at them from so many directions. > > Of course RFK has less than zero chance of winning the election, or even winning any single state’s popular vote for president. But in every state where RFK appears on the ballot, he will be a joker in the deck for both Ds and Rs. Uncertainly is increased, not decreased by his presence. > > For my own POV, eliminating that uncertainty is probably a good thing. I think you are dismissing some voters who have (in their eyes) legitimate beef with Biden. I’m not talking about anyone who would vote for Trump. Not all of them are in the he’s too old camp. Some people can’t bring themselves to vote for him. Palestine might be the biggest issue with them. Stomping your feet and sternly telling them Trump is worse won’t help. As I’ve seen my niece say she can’t vote for someone who is supporting the murder of babies. Although the right has seemed to become the party of anti-vax the ones who did it before it was cool were often on the left. They will look at RFK fondly. Will they be enough to sway the election? Possibly if some swing states only go by a few thousand. I suspect most who vote RFK wouldn’t vote for either Biden or Trump no matter what but it might not be possible to tell for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2024, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/271 "2024-03-23T22:52:53Z")
I sent a message to the DNC suggesting that they run ads saying that Kennedy is a more civil version of Trump. That could scare Democrats away from voting for him, and entice voters who like Trump’s policies but are put off by his behavior. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2024, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/272 "2024-03-24T00:26:05Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I think you are dismissing some voters who have (in their eyes) legitimate beef with Biden. I’m not talking about anyone who would vote for Trump. Not all of them are in the he’s too old camp. Some people can’t bring themselves to vote for him. Palestine might be the biggest issue with them. Stomping your feet and sternly telling them Trump is worse won’t help. As I’ve seen my niece say she can’t vote for someone who is supporting the murder of babies. I may be totally misunderstanding your post, but did you and/or your niece realize this: [Kennedy questions Gaza ceasefire (March 21, 2024)](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/2024-candidate-kennedy-questions-gaza-ceasefire-biden-energy-subsidies-2024-03-20/) > [@](#): > > Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr offered staunch support for Israel in a Reuters interview, calling it a “moral nation” that was justly responding to Hamas provocations with its attacks on Gaza and questioning the need for a six-week ceasefire backed by President Joe Biden. Voter logic isn’t always linear. So I suppose a small number of dovish voters, associating Biden with Middle East tragedy, will reluctantly vote for RFK Jr should their real preference, Cornel West, fail to gain ballot access. However, unlike most here, I think Kennedy will actually – but only slightly – hurt Trump. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2024, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/273 "2024-03-24T06:30:58Z")
I think more likely those who believe Palestine is the most important issue will not vote rather than pick from bad choices. However Biden is the guy in a position to act. Anyone else is just in a position to talk. Punishing someone who is acting in a way you don’t like is an easier choice. That may cause some to vote somewhere else as a protest. If it wasn’t for the Dope I wouldn’t know about Cornel West at all. I can’t help but think he won’t have any effect. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2024, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/274 "2024-03-25T04:49:32Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Not all of them are in the he’s too old camp. Some people can’t bring themselves to vote for him. Palestine might be the biggest issue with them. A Palestinian activist assassinated his father of course which may color his views. Anyway, Tuesday is the big day that no one cares about. He’s going to name his VP pick. [https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4550459-rfk-jr-robert-f-kennedy-jr-vice-president-vp-nicole-shanahan-aaron-rodgers-jesse-ventura/](https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4550459-rfk-jr-robert-f-kennedy-jr-vice-president-vp-nicole-shanahan-aaron-rodgers-jesse-ventura/) ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2024, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/275 "2024-03-26T15:13:25Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > A Palestinian activist assassinated his father of course which may color his views. Junior is on record as claiming that Sirhan Sirhan didn’t kill his father. Just another one of his dingbat beliefs. His veep choice has to 1) appeal to both crazies and the “youth” vote, and 2) not take up too much of the spotlight that Junior demands for himself. That leaves plenty of possibilities, and I suspect it won’t be Ventura or Rodgers. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2024, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/276 "2024-03-26T16:12:44Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Junior is on record as claiming that Sirhan Sirhan didn’t kill his father. Just another one of his dingbat beliefs. The specific dingbat belief is that there was a second gunman or coconspirator. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2024, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/277 "2024-03-26T16:38:29Z")
Clearly RFK Sr died of vaccines. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2024, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/278 "2024-03-26T17:25:42Z")
Junior has said " I…hope that the governor will consider [the overwhelming evidence that Sirhan is not my father’s killer." He doesn’t believe that any of the shots Sirhan fired hit his father. [https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/Robert-F-Kennedy-Jr-Sirhan-Sirhan-didn-t-16686114.php](https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/Robert-F-Kennedy-Jr-Sirhan-Sirhan-didn-t-16686114.php) > [@Gyrate](#): > > Clearly RFK Sr died of vaccines. I fully expect antivaxers to proclaim that vaccination caused the Baltimore bridge collapse. Either the pilot of the vessel that hit the bridge had received a Covid-19 vaccine, or the bridge itself was vaccinated. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2024, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/279 "2024-03-26T18:11:30Z")
rfk is naming a wealthy tech attorney as his running mate, nicole shanahan. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2024, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/280 "2024-03-26T18:27:47Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > fk is naming a wealthy tech attorney as his running mate, nicole shanahan. That could be just the break the Kennedy campaign has been waiting for! It’s not. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260.md?page=15)