Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) has surged ahead of both former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden in favorability, according to the latest Harvard CAPS-Harris survey.
Favorable over incumbent and blabbermouth?
Conducted on Nov. 15-16, the poll encompassed the opinions of over 2,800 respondents, revealing that 52% hold a favorable view of Kennedy Jr., who is currently pursuing an independent presidential campaign for 2024, while only 27% do not.
RFK Jr.: A dark horse in 2024
RFK Jr.’s remarkable net favorability surpasses that of all other 2024 candidates, including Trump, who garnered a favorable rating of 51%, and Biden, who drew 46% favorability.
Notable political figures trailing behind Kennedy Jr., Trump, and Biden in the poll include tech mogul Elon Musk at 47%, Vice President Kamala Harris at 45%, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at 44% favorability.
The candidate or the last name?
Initially launching a longshot bid to challenge Biden for the Democratic Party nomination in 2024, Kennedy Jr. has since pivoted to an independent campaign, presenting its own set of challenges in securing spots on state ballots.
“Robert Kennedy has positioned himself to appeal to members of both parties though it is unclear how much of his ratings are from in-depth knowledge of Kennedy vs. his popular family name,” said Mark Penn, co-director of the Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll.
These revelations surfaced as Kennedy, who declared his candidacy for the 2024 presidential race in April, disclosed just last month that he is transitioning from being a Democrat to running as an independent in his presidential bid.
Remembering a great past
Adding a poignant touch to his campaign, Kennedy Jr. marked the upcoming 60th anniversary of his uncle John F. Kennedy’s death on Monday by calling on Biden to release all documents related to the event to the public, introducing a new dimension to the political landscape as the 2024 race unfolds.
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Cover Photo: YouTube