Democratic Tactics Against RFK Jr. Are Destabilizing His Campaign

In a high-stakes political battle, independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. finds himself under siege from both established political forces and grassroots activists. Recent digital and in-person protests have prompted his campaign to enact evasive maneuvers, revealing the intensity of the struggle for the White House. Despite the political legacy associated with the Kennedy name, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a first-time candidate. His meteoric rise in the polls, averaging about 12.5 percent, has sent shockwaves through the Democratic Party.

While not enough to secure victory outright, even single-digit support in swing states could significantly impact the 2024 election results. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has taken third-party threats seriously. Their tactics against RFK Jr. have escalated as the general election gains momentum. Here’s what’s been happening: Billboard Truck Circles Campaign Events: A DNC-funded billboard truck has been circling Kennedy’s campaign events, drawing attention to GOP megadonor Tim Mellon’s contributions to the independent candidate. Picketing at Vice Presidential Announcement Rally: Protesters picketed Kennedy’s vice presidential announcement rally, signaling growing anti-Kennedy sentiment. Grassroots Organizing Forum Infiltrated: The campaign’s grassroots organizing forum was flooded with fake, provocative event pages, disrupting their operations. MoveOn Staffs Up: A job ad from the progressive group MoveOn revealed how progressive organizations are staffing up to confront the independent campaign. Campaign manager and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s daughter-in-law, Amaryllis Fox Kennedy, acknowledges the onslaught.

She describes a shift in strategy by opponents:

“They are publicly shifting now to a strategy of actual trolling and harassment in order to place media stories around it and persuade voters in that way, because their attempts to keep Bobby off the ballot have failed” (POLITICO). Despite the barrage, the campaign remains resolute. Their existential goal is to get on the ballot in all 50 states and Washington, DC. So far, Kennedy is officially on the ballot only in Utah.

The DNC denies hiring protesters or sending staff to Kennedy’s events but acknowledges the need to define him as a spoiler. While Democrats have been more proactive in targeting Kennedy, former President Donald Trump’s team is also paying attention.

They label him “a radical leftist,” hinting at the potential impact of his candidacy. In this high-stakes political drama, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. navigates uncharted waters.

The delicate balance between family legacy, political maneuvering, and the indelible impact of words will shape the course of the 2024 election.