He certainly ain’t one now with about 90 days to go and a re-invigorated Democratic campaign with Kamala Harris…
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was once seen as a major X factor in the 2024 election, but now he’s struggling to find his footing.
Why it matters: Kennedy had a rare opportunity when chaos over President Biden’s candidacy paralyzed the party. But Kennedy’s poll numbers appear to be falling, his cash is dwindling and he’s slowed his schedule.
- “By any metric, the campaign is certainly down momentum-wise than where it was at the beginning of the year,” said Christopher Thrasher, a ballot access attorney and political consultant who has advised multiple independent and third party campaigns.
By the numbers: Recent polling shows Kennedy’s support in the single digits. He was receiving as much as 15% in some polls earlier this year.
- A New York Times/Siena College poll found that 6% of registered voters said they would support Kennedy in a six-way contest.
- In a Quinnipiac University poll, 8% of registered voters said they’d vote for Kennedy in a six-way match up.
- A Wall Street Journal poll found Kennedy at 4% among registered voters.
Between the lines: Kennedy had been relying on the so-called “double haters” to fuel his bid. But with Vice President Kamala Harris’ entry into the race, the voters dissatisfied with both candidates may be declining.
- Harris is also appealing to younger voters, a demographic that had been eyeing Kennedy.
Zoom in: When the Democratic Party quickly coalesced around Harris following Biden’s decision to drop out of the race, Kennedy was slow to pivot his line of attacks.
- Kennedy largely focused his attacks on Biden during a press conference the day that he decided to step aside, not the candidate most likely replacing him.
The campaign has cancelled a number of public events — and missteps fueled speculation that he was considering ditching his bid…..