Are Kennedy's supporters wildcards now? Will they vote?

1. 87

   tsmogposted 6 weeks ago

   Pew Research published on Aug 23, 2024 an article . . .
   
   As Robert F. Kennedy Jr. exits, a look at who supported him in the 2024 presidential race
   https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads … tial-race/
   
   Who were Kennedy's supporters?
   
   
   
   The concluding paragraph is;
   "In August, Kennedy supporters were sour on both Harris and Trump – 61% said they had an unfavorable view of both candidates."
   
   Will the Kennedy supporters make a difference in Nov? How?
   
   By voting?
   By not voting?
   
   
   
   Thoughts, criticisms, accolades, and/or commentary?

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   1. 84

      Sharlee01posted 6 weeks agoin reply to this

      I am just sharing my perspective, without much explanation of how I arrived at it. I listened to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) when he announced his decision to drop out of the presidential race, and also to the speech he gave later at Trump's rally. In his remarks, he heavily criticized the Democratic Party and mentioned that after several meetings with Trump, he felt confident that Trump would honor some of the issues he had campaigned on, such as vaccine safety, free speech, and protecting individual freedoms. It would appear he feels he will obtain a job in the White House If Trump wins.  Trump has mentioned that he would consider hiring him in some capacity.
      
      RFK's speech in my view was riveting, and he spoke directly to his supporters, and asked his followers to consider supporting Trump, expressing hope that Trump could help address some of the issues he had been advocating for for many years. I believe that if Kennedy campaigned with Trump, he could bring a significant portion of his supporters over to vote for Trump.
      
      Naturally, being a Trump supporter, I hope this works out to be the case.

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      1. 95

         wildernessposted 6 weeks agoin reply to this

         I caught that bit about getting a job, too.  And it completely turned me off from anything else he had to say; his entire purpose in making that announcement was to feather his job resume.  He isn't interested in honesty, in truth, in Trump or anything else...except a job.  Hopefully others will not share my abhorrence is such self serving and just accept it as what politicians do.
         
         IMO of course, but that's what I came away from his interview with.

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         1. 84

            Sharlee01posted 6 weeks agoin reply to this

            I'm uncertain about his motives. Over the years, I have followed him, and he seems genuinely concerned about American health problems, which he attributes to additives in our food, water, medications, and vaccines. During his speech, he presented statistics that are factual, highlighting the health issues Americans face. I generally agree with his position on the need to purify our food, water, and drugs, as science has shown that many of the additives contribute to various health problems.
            
            What I took away is that he wants to focus on an issue that has troubled him for many decades. I believe he is becoming desperate. He also appeared honest when speaking about the party he has now left, as it seems they treated him poorly. However, it is clear that he is eager for a role in the federal government, likely feeling that it would give him a platform to be heard. Not sure if he supports Trump's agenda. He is a good fit though --- RFK Jr.'s positions on certain issues that overlap with Trump's base, such as skepticism towards COVID-19 vaccines and distrust of government institutions.
            
            Regardless of his motives, I hope he encourages his supporters to vote for Trump. I definitely do not want Harris to win this election. As Ken mentioned, her leadership could bring the nation to a point from which we might not recover.

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2. 81

   Kathryn L Hillposted 6 weeks ago

   "I hope he encourages his supporters to vote for Trump. "
   
   I believe this is exactly what he wants. Is it possible that the true/real Democrats and the Republicans have united in order to fight the Deep State, which has hijacked the Democratic Party?
   
   
   Maybe you could explain exactly how we might NOT recover if Trump does not make it?
   
   ~ as in ever? And Does RFK Jr. realize this?

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   1. 84

      Sharlee01posted 6 weeks agoin reply to this

      "Maybe you could explain exactly how we might NOT recover if Trump does not make it?"
      
      I have several concerns I can share. I feel that a recovery may not happen if Trump does not return to office. In my view, I feel that under Trump's administration, there were significant strides made in areas such as economic growth, job creation, and foreign policy, which I fear could be undone or reversed by the A Harris administration. I worry about increased government spending leading to higher taxes and inflation, which could stifle economic growth and reduce the purchasing power of everyday Americans. Additionally, I have a fear that without Trump, there might be a lack of strong leadership to tackle international issues, such as relations with China and the stability of the Middle East, and we could see more severe types of wars. 
      
      Moreover, I feel that Trump's approach to deregulation and business-friendly policies are crucial for fostering a pro-growth environment, and I worry that a shift towards more regulation could slow down innovation and entrepreneurship.   For me personally, I have the concern not just about immediate economic impacts but also about the long-term direction of the country in terms of governance, personal freedoms, and America's role on the world stage. I feel our nation is at a turning point, and yes, it could be devastating if Democrats win in the fall.
      
      My personal feeling regarding RFK Jr. He believes in all he says and has been an activist for many decades trying to bring his messages to Americans. Whether one supports his theories or not --- I believe he is a man of his convictions.

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3. 81

   Kathryn L Hillposted 6 weeks ago

   PS "A larger share of (Kennedy supporters) lean toward the Republican Party than the Democratic Party (40% vs. 26%)."
   https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads … tial-race/
   
   Interesting. When to me, he seems like a true/real Democrat.
   
   Am I wrong?

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4. 81

   Kathryn L Hillposted 6 weeks ago

   "In March 2024, Kennedy named Shanahan as his running mate in his presidential campaign. Shanahan has questioned the scientific consensus on vaccine safety and efficacy."
   
   "... Shanahan has a daughter, who was diagnosed with autism in 2020. A doctor blamed Shanahan and Brin for their daughter's autism, falsely claiming that it was because Shanahan allowed her infant to receive vaccines and be exposed to artificial light and electromagnetic radiation. The doctor also accused Brin of participating in a plot by the U.S. government and "Big Tech" to use blue light to control the population. Shanahan took his advice and modified her home to limit non-sun light, as well as Wi-Fi and cellular signals. She also converted her swimming pool to saltwater.
   
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicole_Shanahan
   
   !

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5. 81

   Kathryn L Hillposted 6 weeks ago

   Thank you, Sharlee. Your clear explanation is so helpful.
   
   A loss of:
   
   Economic growth: (Increased government spending will lead to higher taxation and inflation.)
   
   Job creation. ( We need to set the people free for the sake of job creation and a percolating economy.)
   
   Foreign policy: ( Weakness will leave us vulnerable to the whims of  Russia, China, the Middle East, etc.)
   
   Deregulation:  (More regulation will hinder innovation and entrepreneurship.)   
   
   Personal freedoms. (Less freedom = less happiness)
   
   America's positive role in the world. (Our security depends on how the other nations of the world view us.)

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6. 81

   Kathryn L Hillposted 6 weeks ago

   The weakening of America is not a good thing for the sake of security, prosperity and happiness.
   
   Ms. Harris as President of The United States will weaken us. We will not be happy under someone like her who can't even deal with her Vice Presidential duties. For instance: She should have met with Netanyahu, our important Middle East Allie. She should have dealt with the border crisis, instead of looking the other way since Biden took office 3 1/2 years ago.
   
   "Vice President Kamala Harris received some criticism on social media this week after she did not greet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon his arrival in the U.S.
   
   'Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, who will be addressing Congress this week, arrived in the U.S. today. Neither Biden nor Harris were there to greet him,' Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn said on X (formerly Twitter). 'This administration has made it perfectly clear — they do not support the Jewish state.'
   
   Netanyahu arrived in the U.S. Monday and is expected to deliver a speech to Congress later this week.
   
   Harris, who became a Democratic presidential candidate after President Joe Biden announced Sunday he was stepping down, will not be presiding over Netanyahu's joint address to Congress, an aide told Reuters. The vice president usually presides over joint addresses."
   https://www.newsweek.com/kamala-harris- … el-1929031

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   1. 84

      Sharlee01posted 6 weeks agoin reply to this

      "Ms. Harris as President of The United States will weaken us. We will not be happy under someone like her who can't even deal with her Vice Presidential duties. "
      
      The more research I do on Harris the more convinced I am that she is not qualified to be president. I agree she was unable to do her duties as VP and was missing in action.
      
      I found she pretty much ignored her duties when she was a Senator. This is very discouraging.
      
      In 2019 Harris missed almost 45% of votes and still earned a full salary: why would Kamala Harris ever want to leave the Senate?
      
      Source -  "GovTrack, an independent website that tracks the status of congressional legislation, ranks Harris as 54th among the one hundred US senators in terms of “leadership,” which it defines as a senator’s ability to get cosponsors on bills. Twenty-three of the chamber’s 45 Democratic senators scored higher than Harris, including California senator Dianne Feinstein (ranked 10th overall) and four of Harris’s five fellow senatorial contenders for the presidency (Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar, Cory Booker, and Kirsten Gillibrand)."

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      1. 60

         Willowarborposted 6 weeks agoin reply to this

         Was there a reason given for the missed votes? I'm assuming that since she was in the midst of a presidential campaign she missed votes.  And did she miss tight or consequential votes?
         
         The scenario is familiar though, not unlike Marco Rubio in 2015 as he was a sitting senator running for president.
         
         He explained it in the following manner.
         
         "Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio has defended his common and much-criticised absences from Senate business, saying: “Voting is not the only part of the Senate job.”
         
         "Rubio has the worst voting attendance record in the Senate this year. According to an NBC News analysis released at the beginning of October, he had missed 59 votes since declaring his run for president in April, or 42%. He has missed votes since."
         
         Everyone needs to run their own campaign,” Rubio said on CNN. “I can tell you that in the history of presidential politics, when they’ve been running for politics in the Senate they’ve missed votes … Actually, this is lower than what other people have missed.
         
         “I’m running for president so the votes they take in the Senate are actually meaningful again. A lot of these votes won’t mean anything."
         
         "Earlier this month, Rubio missed a vote on defence spending, which was expected to be tight, because he was campaigning in New Hampshire."
         
         Maybe senators shouldn't be allowed to run for president? Since that seems to be the reason for missed votes. Or I suppose that we could trust them to be available to cast consequential votes.
         
         https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/201 … es-absence

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         1. 84

            Sharlee01posted 6 weeks agoin reply to this

            Your point is well taken, and most likely is why Harris missed so many voting sessions.  I thought she dropped out very early.  But I see she did stay in until Dec 2019. Stand corrected. Thanks for the heads up.

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      2. 72

         Ken Burgessposted 6 weeks agoin reply to this

         Lets not get too excited about qualifications or policy.
         
         Just keep it simple, you can then conclude what is coming.
         
         Women make up 52% of the total voters.
         
         58% of women voted for Biden.
         
         Abortion/Harris will get 60% or more of the women vote in 2024
         
         That tells you right there who will win and why.
         
         Women supported Clinton over Trump by 54% to 42% in 2016.
         
         Women supported Biden over Trump 58% to 38% in 2020.
         
         There is your real difference, it will be so in 2024 as well.

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         1. 84

            Sharlee01posted 6 weeks agoin reply to this

            Statista states that 68.2% of registered voters are male and 70% are female. It’s likely that both men and women will be thinking about a variety of issues this election, including the economy, abortion, border security, education, and healthcare.
            
            I don’t think all women will base their vote on just one issue this time around. We’re currently facing many pressing problems that impact everyday life, like the high cost of living, which affects everyone.
            
            So, I don’t believe we can compare the current sentiments to those during the Clinton and Biden campaigns. (the economy was not a problem in either election)  While I expect that abortion will be a significant concern for many women, I hope they will also take into account all the critical issues our nation is facing and vote accordingly for the greater good.
            
            It’s true that women can be more emotionally invested in certain issues, like abortion, and some may feel that their rights have been stripped away. This is a valid perspective and should be acknowledged.

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            1. 72

               Ken Burgessposted 6 weeks agoin reply to this

               Correct and 58% of women said that abortion is their primary issue.
               
               Then there is the emotional/identify-with aspect... women will identify with Harris... any attacks on her they will emphasize with; they will be prone to give Harris a chance MORE SO because there is little known about her positions or her past so I believe women will overwhelmingly be willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.
               
               It is the times we are in...
               
               Feelings over facts... what can be vs. what is ... a future unburdened by what has been.

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               1. 84

                  Sharlee01posted 6 weeks agoin reply to this

                  I can certainly believe that 58% of women consider abortion their primary issue. However, it's important to consider whether they will overlook other issues that also impact their lives. Among this 58%, is it reasonable to think they are also feeling the pressure of rising living costs? Will they allow emotions to guide their voting decisions? And will some vote for Harris simply because she is a woman? While some might, that perspective doesn't truly respect women's individuality.
                  
                  As a woman, I want the first female president to be someone I respect and who embodies the qualities that would make me proud. Voting based solely on gender feels unintelligent to me, and I believe many women may feel the same way. I think some women focus beyond gender, looking instead at who they believe can effectively do the job. In recent elections, I’ve felt disappointed with how some women have voted, but I believe this time around, many will prioritize the economy and other significant issues.
                  
                  The phrase "a future unburdened by what has been" is a ridiculous and hypocritical slogan. It doesn't take much to see the contradiction when looking at the Biden/Harris administration, especially considering Harris's new favorite phrase, "We ain't going back." Ironically, we definitely need a future that moves away from the mess, and what we've experienced under their leadership. It's surprising that she thought these slogans were clever.
                  
                  I suppose she might think that her supporters are too unaware to recognize the contradiction in such a slogan.  It’s actually quite funny.

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7. 81

   Kathryn L Hillposted 6 weeks ago

   She should have dealt with the border crisis, instead of looking the other way ... and worse, since Biden took office 3 1/2 years ago:
   
   "Many of the policies Harris supported as a senator have been implemented on her watch, including cutting ICE beds, stopping border wall construction, and ending Title 42, the Trump-era expulsion measure ordered during the COVID pandemic.
   
   On her watch, illegal crossings by those from Mexico and Northern Triangle countries currently exceed those seen during the Trump administration by an incredible 140%."
   https://homeland.house.gov/2024/08/09/b … n-ny-post/

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8. 81

   Kathryn L Hillposted 6 weeks ago

   If they are smart, the "wildcards" will vote for Trump. No matter what.
   (... and not be wildcards anymore.)
   
   Also, If they so choose, they could just sit this one out.

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9. 81

   Kathryn L Hillposted 6 weeks ago

   "... she is not qualified to be president."
   Apparently, this (qualification level) is not dealt with in the Constitution.
   
   She did make it to Senate.  (... which seems incredulous.)

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10. 72

    Ken Burgessposted 6 weeks ago

    A perfect example of what I was saying:
    https://x.com/Bubblebathgirl/status/1827869367528214620

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11. 81

    Kathryn L Hillposted 6 weeks ago

    "I think some women focus beyond gender, looking instead at who they believe can effectively do the job ... but I believe this time around, many will prioritize the economy and other significant issues."
    
    (... such as, the migrant invasion into states at southern border and matters involving domestic violence (illegal protesting) in American cities across the nation.)
    
    Surely, most women.
    
    ... girls, not so much.

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    1. 84

       Sharlee01posted 6 weeks agoin reply to this

       Yes, Kathryn, all of the above. I want to share my honest thoughts on this matter. I feel that women are not being given the respect they deserve to make wise decisions about what's best for the country. In my opinion, many are overly influenced by what they see in the media and might be beyond reach.
       
       However, I remain hopeful that most American women will realize the importance of voting this group out of Washington and beginning to repair the damage they've caused. As Harris said, I quote "We ain't going back!" Hopefully, we don't return to the last 3.5 years, because I believe America can't endure another four years under Democratic rule.

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       1. 81

          Kathryn L Hillposted 6 weeks agoin reply to this

          The only thing that gives me hope is that some good will come of this election, if we fall for the globalist agenda or are forced into it.
          
          We will wise-up at some point and realize that the US Constitution is worth coming back to. We will rediscover and strive to understand it's founding principles. Eventually, we will realize the error of our ways and repair the damage done by ignorant politicians/globalists who don't know anything about good government or care about good people who just want to live happy, prosperous, self-generated lives.
          
          Yeah, right.
          
          I mean, No! Stay positive!

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       2. 72

          Ken Burgessposted 6 weeks agoin reply to this

          Just remember I predicted it here... 60% will be the official 'record breaking' percentage, maybe higher.
          
          Of course, this is something you will have to determine for yourself to be true or not.
          
          A look to our own coming election?
          https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-el … 757ce80b11

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          1. 84

             Sharlee01posted 6 weeks agoin reply to this

             I don't dispute your thoughts and acknowledge that your evaluations are often quite accurate. I've been closely observing the rhetoric surrounding this "New World Order" for the past decade and have come to understand its true threat. It’s important to note that I always use the word "hope" because, at this point, it’s all we really have. We both know that this issue has deeply entrenched itself. Ultimately, we find ourselves at a crossroads, and it seems that women may have been particularly vulnerable to being influenced in this shift towards the New World Order.
             
             Perhaps women never even realize how they have been influenced.

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             1. 72

                Ken Burgessposted 6 weeks agoin reply to this

                I think you are hitting the nail on the head there.
                
                10 years of demonizing Trump and this is what the election will be about.
                
                How impactful have those 10 years been and how many have absorbed the messaging that Trump is evil incarnate?
                
                This goes hand-in-hand with the general messaging in society that has made men (particularly white men) the villain or the oppressor.  How many times has a Disney movie been slammed and then flopped for pushing their "woke" agendas in the last decade?
                
                Ultimately the anti-family, anti-patriarchy, anti-white-guy messaging has had its impact on our society and it will show in how women vote in 2024.
                
                Almost comical when you think about it, women will be supporting the Party that promotes 'weird' men competing with them in sports, in beauty competitions, in winning woman of the year awards.

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                1. 81

                   Kathryn L Hillposted 6 weeks agoin reply to this

                   Totally comical, but also very sad ...
                   
                   Its a sad DAY when everyone hates everyone and everything.
                   I would say we have a collective bad habit of being negative. We pinpoint all that is not to our preference and grind those issues into the ground. Now, what we have, is a very black ground, and still we stare at our shoes.

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