The impact of Kennedy suspending his campaign in select states on the former president, Harris, and the overall election outcome is up for debate. With the race potentially coming down to a few swing states, both Trump and Harris are vying for any advantage they can get as Election Day approaches. Kennedy’s decision to suspend his independent bid in battleground states and urge his supporters to vote for Trump may sway the results on Nov. 5, according to his beliefs. However, opinions differ on whether this will actually occur.
Kennedy’s campaign events have shown that a majority of attendees who voted for Trump in 2020 now support him. His polling suggests that leaving the race in swing states could lead to a majority of these voters casting their ballots for Trump, potentially affecting the outcome in key states. Meanwhile, professional polling and Trump’s internal polling indicate that voters not aligned with the major candidates, including Kennedy’s supporters, currently favor Trump in crucial swing states.
As of late August, Harris leads Trump nationally according to FiveThirtyEight’s polls. A Pew Research study found that Kennedy supporters were less motivated to vote compared to Trump and Harris supporters. After Biden endorsed Harris, a significant portion of Kennedy supporters shifted their preference to her or Trump.
Democratic and Republican strategists have differing views on the impact of Kennedy’s endorsement of Trump. Some believe it will have a minimal effect on battleground states, while others predict a boost of support for Trump. Kennedy’s campaign, which began as an attempt to challenge Biden for the Democratic nomination, has evolved into an independent bid due to perceived obstacles within the party.
Moving forward, Kennedy plans to actively campaign for Trump without a defined role in a potential Trump administration. He believes that Trump will announce more Democratic supporters joining his campaign, aligning with his vision for a healthier America. Kennedy revealed to Tucker Carlson that Trump had invited him to join the transition team, tasked with selecting individuals to lead the government. While his passions lie in combating chronic diseases, improving children’s health, and addressing corporate influence in government agencies, Kennedy clarified that there was no formal agreement for a specific role at that time.
Trump expressed to Kennedy his desire to leave a legacy of promoting healthy children, a cause that resonated deeply with Kennedy. During a rally in Glendale, Arizona, on Aug. 23, Trump announced his intention to appoint Kennedy to lead a panel investigating the increase in chronic health issues among children, should he be elected over Harris.
In his speech at the rally, Kennedy pledged to significantly reduce the burden of chronic diseases within two years if given the opportunity. Despite the difficult decision to suspend his candidacy, Kennedy emphasized his moral obligation to address the chronic disease crisis and reform food production, aiming to protect millions of American children.
Kennedy believed that aligning with Trump would help him achieve these goals, leading to his decision to join forces with Trump on a “unity” ticket. However, the Democratic Party dismissed Kennedy’s impact on the election outcome, characterizing him as a failed fringe candidate.
Following Kennedy’s decision to suspend his campaign in certain states, the Harris campaign actively courted his supporters, emphasizing their campaign as a path forward for those disillusioned with Trump. Despite their differing views, Harris’s campaign highlighted shared values such as respect for rights, public safety, and opportunity for all.
Political theorist Lauren Lee, a supporter of Kennedy, emphasized the importance of his candidacy in the battleground states and the establishment of the “We The People” party. She underscored the potential for Kennedy to receive 5 percent of the vote, which would qualify the party for federal funding and pave the way for a competitive future in 2028.
Lee clarified that Kennedy’s partnership with Trump in a unity party aimed to challenge the two-party system and encourage participation from Republicans in traditionally Democratic states. She outlined a scenario where Kennedy voters could influence the election outcome, potentially leading to a contingent election in the U.S. House.
Richard Winger, editor of Ballot Access News, acknowledged the potential impact of Kennedy’s decision on federal funding for minor parties. While some doubt Kennedy’s chances of garnering significant support, Lee remained optimistic about the prospects of establishing a robust third-party future in the United States.
Despite uncertainties surrounding Kennedy’s campaign, Lee emphasized the opportunity to vote for hope rather than fear, presenting a vision for a diverse and inclusive political landscape in the years to come. “I am optimistic that we will achieve that 5 percent threshold. This will enable citizens to vote based on hope for the future rather than simply voting against the other candidate.”
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