Outsiders in the US election campaign
Kennedy’s nephew wants NFL star Rodgers as his running mate
March 13, 2024, 9:54 a.m
The chances of an independent candidate in the US election campaign are infinitesimal and yet politicians repeatedly enter the race without the backing of Democrats and Republicans. This year too: Robert F. Kennedy relies on celebrities and conspiracy theories.
In addition to Donald Trump and Joe Biden, a third candidate is entering the race for the office of US President: the nephew of former US President John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, has already thrown his hat into the ring as an independent candidate – and wants to lure voters with dubious star power. As the “New York Times” reports that Kennedy asked NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers and former Minnesota governor and professional wrestler Jesse Ventura whether they would support him as fellow candidates in the election campaign.
Rodgers and Ventura are at the top of the list for a possible vice president role, the report said. However, it is not clear whether either of them was officially offered the position. Kennedy had already confirmed that he was in close contact with the NFL star and was already in talks with Ventura.
While Rodgers’ representatives have not yet commented on the Kennedy inquiry, Ventura’s son said: “No one has formally asked Governor Ventura to be their vice presidential candidate, so the governor does not comment on speculation.”
Kennedy is fishing in the Schwurbler corner
As an independent candidate, Kennedy will not win the race, but he could cost Trump or Biden crucial votes. Polls show that Kennedy about the same number could siphon votes from President Biden and former President Donald Trump. Democrats are far more concerned than Republicans that votes lost to Kennedy could tip a close election in Trump’s favor, the NYT said.
For Superbowl winner Rodgers, the election campaign would probably be a challenging double burden. At the height of the campaign in the fall, the new NFL season begins with its New York Jets. After a ruptured Achilles tendon, the timing of his comeback is still uncertain.
Ventura, 72, was known as Jesse “The Body” Ventura as a professional wrestler in the 1970s and ’80s and also appeared in films and television before entering politics. He was elected governor of Minnesota in 1998 on the Reform Party ticket, where he served one term. He has since become a prominent figure in independent and third party politics.
The 70-year-old Kennedy, an environmental lawyer and scion of a traditional Democratic family, has gained attention in recent years for his skepticism about vaccines and the spread of conspiracy theories about the US government and the public health apparatus. Rodgers had also increasingly taken on the role of prominent provocateur and lateral thinker with his positions on vaccines, public health and the coronavirus pandemic.