It’s obvious what Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s role is in the 2024 U.S. Presential Election – To split the Democratic ticket and pave the way for a Donald Trump win. But, will it backfire?
Let’s cycle back to 1992 when two conservatives, incumbent President George H.W. Bush and H. Ross Perot, split a formidable share of the Republican vote and enabled Democrat Bill Clinton to win comfortably. Back then, Perot’s role as a spoiler was an unintended consequence. He was a legitimate candidate, unlike Kennedy whose sole purpose is to be a spoiler this year.
It’s intriguing to see the potential impact of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s candidacy on the 2024 presidential race, especially in light of this poll suggesting that he might draw more support away from former President Trump than from President Biden.
The poll results indicate that in a head-to-head matchup, Trump narrowly edges out Biden, but when Kennedy is included, Biden takes the lead. This suggests that Kennedy might be drawing more support from potential Trump voters than from Biden’s base.
In a head-to-head race, Trump, 77, edges Biden, 81, 46% to 44%; But when Kennedy is added to the mix, Biden tops Trump at 39% to 37%, followed by Kennedy at 13%, Jill Stein at 3% and Cornel West at 2%, the NBC News poll found.
Additionally, the poll highlights Kennedy’s relatively higher favorability among Republicans compared to Democrats, which could further reinforce the idea that he might siphon more votes from the conservative side.
The concern about Kennedy acting as a spoiler is evident, with both the Trump and Biden campaigns expressing worries about his potential impact on the election outcome. The fact that prominent members of the Kennedy family have endorsed Biden and cautioned against supporting their relative underscores the seriousness with which they view the situation.
Furthermore, the poll brings attention to the issue of safeguarding democracy, which appears to be resonating with a significant portion of the electorate. Biden’s focus on this issue aligns with the concerns expressed by voters, as does his emphasis on economic matters.
However, the declining level of interest in the presidential election compared to prior years is noteworthy and could signal widespread disillusionment among voters. This decline in enthusiasm could have implications for voter turnout and engagement in the upcoming election.
Overall, while this poll provides valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of the 2024 presidential race, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. The actual impact of Kennedy’s candidacy and the issues driving voter sentiment will likely become clearer as the election approaches.
