RYE, N.H. — As Robert F. Kennedy Jr. tries to unseat President Joe Biden within the 2024 Democratic primaries, the anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist is discovering help from an unlikely supply: Republicans.
Kennedy has sat down for an prolonged interview with former Fox Information host Tucker Carlson. He has employed Republicans for his marketing campaign, together with a sitting member of the New Hampshire legislature. His lengthy shot bid to defeat an incumbent from his personal occasion is a frequent subject of glee on conservative speak radio.
And on Wednesday night time, Scott Brown, a former Republican senator from Massachusetts, hosted Kennedy for one among his “No BS” barbecues — making him the primary non-Republican afforded that privilege.
“It’s an honor,” Brown stated as he launched Kennedy to an overflow crowd of some 500.
His invitation raised eyebrows in each events.
“I don’t know why Scott Brown as a Republican could be internet hosting a Democrat,” stated Steve Duprey, a former Republican Nationwide Committee member from New Hampshire. “Is it simply an try and bolster Kennedy and harm Biden? Who is aware of.”
The New Hampshire Democratic Get together chair stated that’s the plain motive Republicans are supporting Kennedy, and that Kennedy is joyful to take their assist.
“In my many many years of expertise with New Hampshire primaries, I’ve by no means seen a Democratic candidate chase after registered Republicans this tough,” Ray Buckley instructed HuffPost. “The reality is that RFK is anti-vax, pro-conspiracy idea, and this marketing campaign is bankrolled by a Trump donor. None of that aligns with the Democratic Get together. Looks as if he’s operating within the flawed major.”
Brown, who hosted his political gatherings for GOP candidates in 2016 and now once more on this election cycle, stated folks deserved an opportunity to listen to Kennedy’s views.
“If someone desires to talk to voters in New Hampshire, they need to have a spot to do it,” he instructed HuffPost, including that he was not simply making an attempt to weaken Biden to make it simpler for a Republican to beat him. “I’ve a relationship with the Kennedy household, clearly, going again to lengthy earlier than I used to be a U.S. senator … If he desires to come back, I’m joyful to have him.”
Scott, although, opened up the question-and-answer a part of Kennedy’s look by asking him if he would run as an unbiased if the Democratic Nationwide Committee “jammed” him by making it troublesome for him to win delegates for the nomination. Such a transfer may harm Biden within the normal election by siphoning off Democratic votes.
“In the event that they jam me, I’m going to have a look at each choice,” Kennedy stated, to applause.
Kennedy, who’s 69, the son of an assassinated presidential candidate and the nephew of an assassinated president, noticed a short surge within the polls when he introduced his candidacy this spring. Since then, although, his numbers have fallen dramatically, and he’s now extra common with Republican voters than he’s with Democrats.
Certainly, on various points, Kennedy is much extra according to the Trump wing of the Republican Get together than he’s with the Democratic Get together.
Kennedy has stated he opposes U.S. help for Ukraine, which continues to struggle Russia’s invasion that started in early 2022. That coincides with most supporters of Donald Trump, who after Vladimir Putin launched his assault on Ukraine, known as the Russian dictator a “genius” for having completed so.
Kennedy stated in a latest interview that he helps a nationwide abortion ban — though he quickly afterward launched a press release saying that he didn’t.
And closest to the hearts of many “MAGA” Republicans, Kennedy has for many years been an opponent of childhood vaccines, and of late, has been a vocal critic of the COVID-19 vaccines. Extra lately, he claimed that the illness was engineered to be much less deadly to Chinese language and Jewish folks.
His view on vaccines was one of many issues that Karen McLaughlin, 52, stated she appreciated about Kennedy. The 2-time Trump voter drove an hour by way of the rain from Nashua to listen to him in particular person. “He’s the one Democrat I’d think about,” she stated as she waited within the line to be “wanded” by the Kennedy marketing campaign’s personal safety.
“To date, I like what I hear,” stated Mike Sears, who’s 54 and in addition a two-time Trump voter, as he waited within the magnetometer line exterior the farmhouse Brown makes use of for his political meet-and-greets.
The professional-Trump nature of a lot of the viewers turned clear when Kennedy started his remarks by mentioning all of the issues that Individuals have in widespread, akin to the will for training and well being care.
“Drain the swamp!” shouted out a voice from the entrance rows, repeating a favourite Trump slogan.
“All of us need to drain the swamp,” Kennedy agreed.
