# 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:** 44
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2024, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/861 "2024-09-03T12:41:05Z")
So, explain it to me like I’m a baby at this (which I kinda am). Is RFK Jr. still being on the ballot good for Trump? For Harris? Both? Neither? I’m hoping bad for Donald. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2024, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/862 "2024-09-03T12:54:06Z")
I’ve read a few articles that indicate that even when someone is no longer campaigning, but their name is still on the ballot, there is a tendency for them to get a few percentage points of votes. The polling seems to suggest that Kennedy tends to draw voters away from Trump, and not from Harris, because his anti-vax views tend to resonate with potential Trump voters, but not with potential Harris voters. If those two factors prove accurate, Kennedy being on the ballot in closely-fought swing states may help Harris. But, there’s a lot of « ifs » and « maybes » there. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2024, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/863 "2024-09-03T12:58:38Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Is RFK Jr. still being on the ballot good for Trump? It’s obvious that he’s been trying to help Trump all along, with the assumption that his name will attract more D voters than R voters. After Harris replaced Biden, he lost a lot of voters to her, so the assumption is that most of his remaining voters would otherwise vote for Trump. Hence why he’s trying to get off the ballot in swing states. Why he’s not trying to get off the ballot in non-swing states is not so obvious. He’s not going to make a difference in New York, so who knows why he’s fighting to keep his name on in that state. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2024, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/864 "2024-09-03T13:11:52Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > Why he’s not trying to get off the ballot in non-swing states is not so obvious. He’s not going to make a difference in New York, so who knows why he’s fighting to keep his name on in that state. He’s trying to play it both ways. He wants to help Trump in swing states by getting his name removed, but getting enough votes nationally so he can broker more influence in the next election cycle (I think your party needs 5% to get campaign financing the next go-around - someone can certainly correct me if I don’t have that right). ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2024, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/865 "2024-09-15T17:54:45Z")
Kennedy says he’s got a letter from the National Marine Fisheries Institute that says “Uh, Bobby, do you have a whale head? We may need to look into it.” (my guess as to the wording.) Bobby’s response: > “This is all about the weaponization of our government against political opponents,” he said. I guess the rule of law doesn’t apply to Kennedys. Or to former presidential candidates. Share his outrage! > **[RFK Jr. says he is being investigated for collecting whale specimen](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/rfk-jr-says-investigated-collecting-whale-specimen-rcna171178)** > > One of his daughters, Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy, described in a 2012 article how her father cut the head off a dead whale that had washed ashore and bungee-corded it to the family’s car. ---
**Author:** ![bobsmom101](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobsmom101/32/2867_2.png) [@bobsmom101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobsmom101)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2024, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/866 "2024-09-15T19:28:38Z")
Not to defend RFK Jr, but isn’t there a statute of limitations that applies here? It’s pretty old news, and while worthy of a good laugh, is IMO a waste of the government’s time to investigate. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2024, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/867 "2024-09-15T19:33:26Z")
If he’s in continued possession of wildlife parts that cannot be held without a permit, he may be committing an ongoing offence. Or, they may want to reclaim the wildlife parts. Dunno; have to wait and see. ---
**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:** [September 16, 2024, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/868 "2024-09-16T01:41:36Z")
Here’s [everything you need to know](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/endangered-species-conservation/protected-species-parts) about federal regulations on wildlife parts. The most on point section: > ## Can you keep a protected species part found on the beach? > > In some cases, yes, you may keep the part. You may collect and keep any bones, teeth, or ivory from a non-ESA listed marine mammal found on a beach or land within one-quarter mile of an ocean, bay, or estuary. You may not collect parts from a carcass or parts with soft tissues attached. > > Any marine mammal bones, teeth, or ivory that you collect must be identified and registered with the nearest [NOAA Fisheries Regional Office](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/contact-directory/regional-offices). You may contact the appropriate [Stranding Network Coordinator](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/contact-directory/marine-mammal-stranding-network-coordinators) in your region for assistance. Marine mammal parts collected in this manner may not be bought or sold. > > A dead marine mammal with soft tissue is a stranded animal and you should report it to the nearest [NOAA Fisheries Stranding Network Coordinator](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/contact-directory/marine-mammal-stranding-network-coordinators) so that the animal may be sampled for scientific research purposes and properly disposed of. You may not collect parts from a stranded animal. > > Parts from ESA-listed species, including [threatened or endangered species](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/endangered-species-conservation), may **not** be collected without a permit or other authorization: That’s from NOAA; here’s the Federal code of Regulations cite: [50 CFR § 216.26 - Collection of certain marine mammal parts without prior authorization. | Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR) | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute](https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/50/216.26) ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2024, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/869 "2024-09-16T19:07:50Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > Why he’s not trying to get off the ballot in non-swing states is not so obvious. He’s not going to make a difference in New York, so who knows why he’s fighting to keep his name on in that state. Campaign recognition and cash. RFK is a grifter and always has been. His hypocrisy in this arena is breathtaking; he pretends to be offended that the Democrats are using lawyers in terms of hurting his ability to run for President, and he himself is using legal warfare to manipulate what states he is or isn’t on the ballot in in an effort to hurt the Democrats. Kennedy is about as fantastically egotistical as a human being can get, just as much as Trump, and I do not for an instant believe he holds any value or position higher than his own self interest and personal aggrandizement. He places no value at all in the most basic of ethical or moral virtues; it’s about him. Everything is him. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2024, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/870 "2024-09-16T19:19:49Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Kennedy is about as fantastically egotistical as a human being can get, just as much as Trump, and I do not for an instant believe he holds any value or position higher than his own self interest and personal aggrandizement. He places no value at all in the most basic of ethical or moral virtues; it’s about him. Everything is him. If he’s that much like Trump, could he be Trumps successor? I don’t think he has the charisma, but I’m no good at judging that. ---
**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:** [September 16, 2024, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/871 "2024-09-16T20:33:16Z")
The NOAA has confirmed that Kennedy is under investigation for the whale incident. > **[NOAA confirms investigation into RFK Jr. over dead whale carcass | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/16/politics/rfk-jr-dead-whale-investigation/index.html)** > > The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirmed on Monday it is investigating Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for allegedly decapitating a dead whale carcass and transporting it home two decades ago. ---
**Author:** ![Chad\_Sudan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chad_sudan/32/4509_2.png) [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2024, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/872 "2024-09-16T20:42:59Z")
Hopefully there will be no rush to judgment. ---
**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:** [September 16, 2024, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/873 "2024-09-16T20:55:49Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > The NOAA has confirmed that Kennedy is under investigation for the whale incident. Can anyone confirm if he has been near Springfield, OH in recent months? ---
**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:** [September 16, 2024, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/874 "2024-09-16T22:12:48Z")
Great question! That would explain a lot of strange wildlife goings-on around there. ---
**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:** [September 16, 2024, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/875 "2024-09-16T22:18:45Z")
SCOTUS is expected to rule on immunity based on his Kennedy family ties. His ‘running for President’ shtick having expired. Justice Thomas is consulting his Ouija board for guidance from Thomas Jefferson. ---
**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:** [September 17, 2024, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/876 "2024-09-17T03:12:17Z")
Naw, he’s just asking the Missus. ---
**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:** [September 17, 2024, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/877 "2024-09-17T14:22:27Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Great question! That would explain a lot of strange wildlife goings-on around there. Especially the strange lack of whales in Ohio. ---
**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:** [September 17, 2024, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/878 "2024-09-17T14:48:15Z")
Heck, they’re migratory critters. You’d figure at least some of them would turn up in Ohio. 😉 ---
**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:** [September 17, 2024, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/879 "2024-09-17T15:12:28Z")
[Perhaps one just suddenly appeared several miles above Ohio, along with a bowl of petunias](https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/198068-another-thing-that-got-forgotten-was-the-fact-that-against)… ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2024, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/880 "2024-09-18T01:17:43Z")
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