# 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:** 37
**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:** [August 13, 2024, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/721 "2024-08-13T14:57:56Z")
If we’re just discussing narrow dirty politics rather than the rule of law, RFK being pushed off the ballot in NY is unlikely to have any effect on the outcome. Harris will carry NY easily with or without RFK muddying the voters’ decisions. A similar or matching ruling from swing states wherein RFK is likely to divert more Harris votes than trump votes is the outcome to be wished for. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/722 "2024-08-13T15:23:53Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > New York Justice Christina Ryba, a judge in Albany, [ruled that Kennedy falsely claimed](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/fbem/DocumentDisplayServlet?documentId=o79e935tNXrPSLozuJLpBg==&system=prod) on his nominating petition that his “place of residence” is an address in Katonah, N.Y., outside of New York City, where he rents a spare bedroom rather than his home in California, which he purchased in 2021 after marrying actress Cheryl Hines in 2014. I read the decision, and it’s interesting. As his counsel notes, RFK was screwed (really: screwed himself) regardless of what address he put on filing papers, because he had maintained voter registration in NY despite not having lived there since 2014…so, whatever address he used, he’d likely end up in court. So, his counsel recommended NY, though it’s not clear if he (Paul Rossi) fully understood that RFK hadn’t actually maintained a real residency there. The post-publicity attempts to suddenly pay rent and spend a night in NY are pretty damning, though. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/723 "2024-08-13T18:30:38Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > he had maintained voter registration in NY despite not having lived there since 2014 So that SHOULD mean that his current status of being on the California ballot can be challenged. Though as was said of NY earlier, that’s not really where we should be hoping he’ll be knocked off the ballot. (California will vote Harris no matter what.) Still, having it in the news that he’s been knocked off the ballot in ANY state is probably beneficial. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/724 "2024-08-13T18:42:15Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > A similar or matching ruling from swing states wherein RFK is likely to divert more Harris votes than trump votes is the outcome to be wished for. FWIW, here are **[the 19 states for which RFK Jr. is currently qualified to be on the ballot](https://ballotpedia.org/Robert_F._Kennedy_Jr.)**: Alaska Colorado District of Columbia **Florida** Illinois Indiana Maine **Michigan** New Jersey New Mexico New York **North Carolina** Oklahoma **Pennsylvania** South Carolina Texas Utah Vermont **Wisconsin** I’ve bolded the three “Blue Wall” states plus in-play North Carolina and the close-to-in-play Florida. EDIT: **[Just now he’s added a 20th state, West Virginia](https://wvmetronews.com/2024/08/13/robert-f-kennedy-jr-earns-west-virginia-presidential-ballot-access/)**. ---
**Author:** ![Mallard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Mallard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallard)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/725 "2024-08-13T18:55:03Z")
If RFK jr is taking Trump votes would it not be better if RFK is ON swing state ballots? ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/726 "2024-08-13T19:04:24Z")
In a strategic sense for Harris/Walz, sure. But, in general, we should be discouraging shenanigans like providing false voter registration information. ---
**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:** [August 13, 2024, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/727 "2024-08-13T19:48:48Z")
> [@Mallard](#): > > If RFK jr is taking Trump votes would it not be better if RFK is ON swing state ballots? It’s not at all clear that’s the effect RFK will have when the voters, including the ones the pollsters can’t reach, actually hit the voting booths in Nov. Polls suck at reading 3rd party candidates. Further, it’s certainly possible that RFK would pull more from Harris in some states and more from trump in other states. Depending on how much RFK’s particular brand of nuttiness lines up with that state’s brand of nuttiness. So _which_ states end up removing RFK may be more important than that any states remove him. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2024, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/728 "2024-08-15T12:07:26Z")
I’m seeing reports Jr tried to approach the Harris campaign about a cabinet position in exchange for an endorsement. Just…wow. I knew the guy was delusional but that’s just utterly divorced from reality. ---
**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:** [August 15, 2024, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/729 "2024-08-15T15:12:07Z")
Secretary of the Department of Silly Walks but he has to endorse Trump. On a more serious note, I hope they held him off with a 10 foot pole, masks, and gloves. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2024, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/730 "2024-08-15T18:40:56Z")
From what I’ve read, they just ignored him. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2024, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/731 "2024-08-18T02:50:20Z")
Huh. Not on the ballot in Ohio. Innnnnteresting. ---
**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:** [August 18, 2024, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/732 "2024-08-18T03:06:26Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Still, having it in the news that he’s been knocked off the ballot in ANY state is probably beneficial. Except that he can use it to milk sympathy votes from the conspiracy-minded.\* “Help, help, I’m being repressed!” \*Junior and Trump are both fighting hard for that demographic. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2024, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/733 "2024-08-18T20:48:18Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Except that he can use it to milk sympathy votes from the conspiracy-minded.\* > > “Help, help, I’m being repressed!” > > \*Junior and Trump are both fighting hard for that demographic. . I don’t disagree with any of that. But I do suspect that the number of votes RFK Jr. could win from those who feel sorry for him is smaller than the number he could have won if on the ballot in all the states (or in all the states in which he’s had a chance of ballot-access). Time will tell. Or perhaps more accurately, time will approximate (since polling-place exit surveys are not infallible by any means). ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/734 "2024-08-19T18:49:39Z")
A setback in Federal appeals court for him: [Court To RFK Jr.: Fact-Checking Doesn’t Violate 1st Amendment Nor Does Section 230 Make Meta A State Actor - Above the Law](https://abovethelaw.com/2024/08/court-to-rfk-jr-fact-checking-doesnt-violate-1st-amendment-nor-does-section-230-make-meta-a-state-actor/?utm_campaign=Above%20the%20Law%20Daily&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-95jozswGXXVweYGh3yVY2B_kWjFoQBxe1ZqGf9atxG5pA_i5dGytuTLGGoyn3KxtCeZNdMcB8zZBMum_Ywi03cxHZ8QQ&_hsmi=320503060&utm_content=320503060&utm_source=hs_email) ---
**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:** [August 20, 2024, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/735 "2024-08-20T16:38:52Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > By the way, Trump knows that RFK Jr is hurting him. That’s why last month he asked him to drop out. > > [Trump criticizes vaccines in phone call with RFK Jr.](https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/politics/2024/07/16/trump-rfk-leaked-phone-call-vaccines) > > He didn’t do so. Regardless of Bannon’s involvement in getting this whole thing started, I don’t think Junior is in it just to help Trump, or if that’s his goal at all. Better tell Junior’s VP pick Nicole Shanahan that. From NBC investigative reporter Brandy Zadrozny: > [@](#): > > RFK’s VP Shanahan says its “not an easy decision” between continuing or dropping out to “join forces with” Trump. She says she “can envision” that “Bobby goes and he does an incredible job with you know for example HHS Human Health Services.” I listened to the Impact Theory interview segment that Zadrozny cites on Twitter. Shanahan actually says that she and Junior face a choice between 1) staying on the ballot and hoping for enough support to make their “party” valid beyond 2024, and 2) “joining forces with Trump” to prevent a Harris/Walz victory. These two really do hate the Democrats enough to enable a Trump win. > ---
**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:** [August 20, 2024, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/736 "2024-08-20T16:43:38Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Better tell Junior’s VP pick Nicole Shanahan that. From NBC investigative reporter Brandy Zadrozny: That reinforces what I said. If the only goal was to help Trump, then it would be a _very_ easy decision. It sounds to me like he’ll only drop out if Trump gives him something to make it worth his while, as Shanahan is dropping hints about a job at the HHS. > [@Jackmannii](#): > > I listened to the Impact Theory interview segment that Zadrozny cites on Twitter. Shanahan actually says that she and Junior face a choice between 1) staying on the ballot and hoping for enough support to make their “party” valid beyond 2024, and 2) “joining forces with Trump” to prevent a Harris/Walz victory. Why would making their party valid be helping Trump? Trump is with the Republicans. Everything you posted seems to confirm my assumptions, that RFK Jr is not in any way doing this for Trump. He might hate the Democrats, I’m almost sure he does, but he’s not clearly acting as an agent of Trump either. ---
**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:** [August 20, 2024, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/737 "2024-08-20T17:41:24Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Why would making their party valid be helping Trump? Trump is with the Republicans. That’s not the helping Trump part. Shanahan initially says in the interview that if they get at least 5% of the vote that would open up funding beyond 2024 and keep their “party” going. > [@](#): > > Everything you posted seems to confirm my assumptions, that RFK Jr is not in any way doing this for Trump. He might hate the Democrats, I’m almost sure he does, but he’s not clearly acting as an agent of Trump either. Junior doesn’t have to love Trump. Junior’s goal, now _explicitly reinforced_ by Shanahan, is to help Trump win in order to punish Democrats who are seen as the greater evil (in large part because they’ve refused to accept Junior’s genius and are trying to keep him off the ballot). I don’t know how to make this any clearer. Does it have to come down to RFK Jr.dropping out and officially endorsingTrump, or won’t that be enough to convince you? ---
**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:** [August 20, 2024, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/738 "2024-08-20T18:29:03Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > I don’t know how to make this any clearer. I think it’s just myself being unclear, so I sincerely apologize (and I mean that, no sarcasm). My point was solely that JFK Jr is not a MAGA person or Trumper. But I agree that he is anti-Democrat, and if he feels that helping Trump will hurt the Democrats he is open to it. He also is looking to elevate himself, and is definitely not one of the people willing to put Trump in front of his own interests (which too many others seem to be willing to do). I didn’t mean to imply that he is opposed to helping Trump, just that it’s not his ultimate goal. If he did help Trump, it would be a means to an end. It looks like he has a few goals: 1. Get his own independent party some kind of legitimacy, hopefully be able to do it again in 2028. 2. Get himself a good position. He has zero chance of winning the election (and I don’t think even he was delusional enough to think he really had a chance, maybe I’m wrong) but if he ends up getting a job with power, then excellent. 3. Hurt the Democrats and see Biden/Harris/whoever fail. Supporting Trump could help the third goal, and if he can finagle the second goal in the process then even better, but I don’t think he’d do so at the expense of the first goal. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2024, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/739 "2024-08-20T18:48:28Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Junior doesn’t have to love Trump. Junior’s goal, now _explicitly reinforced_ by Shanahan, is to help Trump win in order to punish Democrats who are seen as the greater evil (in large part because they’ve refused to accept Junior’s genius and are trying to keep him off the ballot). That is really paradoxical, though, because if Individual-ONE were to retake the WH, he would be pushing forward hard on Project 2025, which is likely to be striving to marginalize all non-Republican parties and basically eliminate democracy in the US altogether. So if he really wants to have a viable third party, this is an incredibly stupid way to pursue that. ---
**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:** [August 20, 2024, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/740 "2024-08-20T19:09:23Z")
There you go again! Being rational. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260.md?page=36) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260.md?page=38)