# 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:** 8
**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:** [July 30, 2023, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/141 "2023-07-30T22:30:42Z")
It’s lizard people all the way down. And that’s a long, _long_, **long** way down. ---
**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:** [July 31, 2023, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/142 "2023-07-31T18:38:26Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > And regardless of what positions he espouses, it would be hard for a Kennedy to garner much support from a Republican voter base. Don’t be so sure: [John Kennedy (Louisiana politician) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Kennedy_(Louisiana_politician)) And see: [RFK Jr.’s secret fundraising success: Republicans - POLITICO](https://www.politico.com/news/2023/07/15/rfk-fundraising-republicans-00106481) ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2023, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/143 "2023-08-01T19:18:33Z")
Does RFK Jr. _KNOW_ he’s a stalking horse for the Republicans to ensure a Trump victory? Is he in on it? Or is he that fundamentally stupid? I mean, he believes in a lot of stupid conspiracy theories sure, but he _must_ know where the money is coming from and who is backing him… right? ---
**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:** [August 1, 2023, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/144 "2023-08-01T19:44:32Z")
My guess is that he thinks that _he_ is pulling one over on _them_. As if. ---
**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 1, 2023, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/145 "2023-08-01T20:26:17Z")
Yeah. When _everyone_ in the game is a conman, they all think they’re running the con and everybody else is the patsy. They can’t all be right. They can all be wrong. IMO RFK is a wholly owned subsidiary of a) his ego, and b) Faux / Trump / Koch / Putin. ---
**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 2, 2023, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/146 "2023-08-02T01:54:19Z")
Latest campaign disclosure paints him as a Republicant stooge. Or should I say, “even more of a …” > **[RFK Jr. super PAC got more than half its funds from GOP mega donor](https://www.politico.com/news/2023/07/31/rfk-jr-super-pac-gop-donor-00109101)** > > $5 million came from former Trump supporter Timothy Mellon. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2023, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/147 "2023-08-03T12:52:03Z")
One of the real lefties in our neighborhood – peace signs in the windows, pride flags, etc. – now has an RFK yard sign. Guess that’s proof progressives can actually be just as stupid as MAGAts. ---
**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 3, 2023, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/148 "2023-08-03T13:20:10Z")
After wowing us in June with his “health policy roundtable”, RFK Jr. is a headliner at [an event in Arizona](https://twitter.com/Kimberly_NFN/status/1684688573696561153/photo/1) in November\* featuring more virulent antivaxers and all-around loons, including a “homeopathic pharmacist”, a onetime virologist who’s claimed that Covid-19 was caused by flu vaccine and that enemies shined bright lights into her home at night, and a woman who just published an antivaccine book for children. And yet, all the negative publicity he’s gotten over bigoted statements, bizarre conspiracy theories and lying about his antivaccine activities hasn’t affected his base of support among Democrats, which according to the most recent polls remains around 15%. There doesn’t seem to be anything he could do to shake the faith of those star-struck followers, much like a string of indictments hasn’t deterred Trump devotees. Every fact-based critique just gets them to circle the wagons more tightly. It’s a lower percentage of Democratic dumbasses compared to Republicans, but still disturbing. \*“Vendors Welcome”. Never miss an opportunity for grift. ---
**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 3, 2023, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/149 "2023-08-03T13:48:55Z")
Remember when Trump spoke to his base about vaccines and was booed? I expect some of them could break for RFK Jr. if he ran as a third party. ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2023, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/150 "2023-08-03T14:01:34Z")
> **[The Crunchy-to-Alt-Right Pipeline](https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/12/fringe-left-alt-right-share-beliefs-white-power-movement/672454/)** > > Those living on the fringe of the left and the right share more in common than you might think. ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2023, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/151 "2023-08-03T14:08:25Z")
The above plus a heavy dose of White Male fragility is why it’s very very easy to flip a lot of White Democrats to MAGA, those who would quickly vote MAGA to push back against what they think is “woke”. ---
**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:** [August 14, 2023, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/152 "2023-08-14T13:02:26Z")
[RFK Jr. does a two-step on abortion-first he’d sign a three-month ban, then he wouldn’t do it.](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/rfk-jr-says-sign-federal-ban-abortions-three-months-pregnancy-rcna99689?cid=eml_mrd_20230814) ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2023, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/153 "2023-08-14T13:05:47Z")
The campaign response is classic. “He misunderstood the question” or something, then you read the context and he is totally clear on his position. Campaign: He was taken out of context! Everyone else: What was the context? Campaign: He accidentally told the truth on his position! ---
**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 14, 2023, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/154 "2023-08-14T13:38:17Z")
While he hasn’t been a politician running for office that long, he’s mastered the art of brazen lying. ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2023, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/155 "2023-08-14T14:26:01Z")
He’s a natural. ---
**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:** [August 14, 2023, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/156 "2023-08-14T14:33:21Z")
I’ve seen the pictures of him doing pushups. There’s something, but I don’t think it’s natural. ---
**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 14, 2023, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/157 "2023-08-14T14:45:38Z")
RFK Jr. says [one of the first things he’d do as President](https://www.tiktok.com/@teamkennedy2024/video/7266819647171874091) would be to have his Attorney General call in heads of the Lancet, New England Journal of Medicine and the A.M.A. and threaten to prosecute them under RICO and other statutes (for publishing and disseminating unwelcome health information) and if they don’t comply with the AG’s bidding, raid their offices and confiscate their files. This is a guy who complains loudly and repeatedly about being censored. Looks like Dr. Drew is all in on enabling antivaxers and conspiracy theorists. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2023, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/158 "2023-08-14T14:49:14Z")
I feel so sorry for him. He was a only a small joke before, simply a drug addled tool who used his name to support good causes. Now he’ll be remembered as a big joke, a fool of epic proportions at a time when other fools still find success in politics. If he has an effect on the election it’s likely to stretch the ability of the Kennedy apologistas to defend him against accusations of betraying his family, the Democratic party, or possibly the entire nation. I feel even more sorry for his wife. I never liked her as an actress, but she doesn’t deserve to share in his shame if she’s not smart enough to divorce him. She’s got his last name now, I can’t see why she stays with him or what else she ever saw in him, but love and attraction make no sense and she can be forgiven on that basis. ---
**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 14, 2023, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/159 "2023-08-14T16:18:04Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I feel even more sorry for his wife. I never liked her as an actress, but she doesn’t deserve to share in his shame if she’s not smart enough to divorce him. She has a nephew with cerebral palsy and has done a lot to raise awareness of the disease and raise money to help fund research to treat it and support those suffering. Then she marries and supports RFK Jr who wants to dismantle the medical establishment and persecute people in the health care field. Sometimes people don’t make sense. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2023, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260/160 "2023-08-14T16:38:07Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I feel so sorry for him. Why? No one’s making him run for president and invite all this scrutiny. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260.md?page=9)