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Trump ‘open’ to more than just RFK Jr. endorsement, which would likely hurt Kamala Harris

August 21, 2024 | | Print Article

The potential for a major shakeup in the presidential race found former President Donald Trump “open” to more than just support from Robert Kennedy Jr.

(Video Credit: CNN)

As the environmental attorney’s third-party bid faces ever-mounting legal challenges from Democratic Party-backed entities for ballot access, his running mate Nicole Shanahan revealed that their campaign was considering two options moving forward.

While fighting to achieve a five percent threshold looked increasingly outside their reach, the possibility of dropping out and backing Trump found the GOP leader supportive of the prospect and willing to consider a role in his administration for Kennedy.

“I like him and I respect him,” the president told CNN’s Kristen Holmes while he was campaigning in Michigan Tuesday. “He’s a brilliant guy. He’s a very smart guy. I’ve known him for a very long time. I didn’t know he was thinking about getting out, but if he is thinking about getting out, certainly I’d be open to it.”

Trump indicated that he would “love that endorsement, because I’ve always liked” Kennedy and noted, “I like him a lot. I respect him a lot. I probably would, if something like that would happen. He’s a very different kind of a guy — a very smart guy. And, yeah, I would be honored by that endorsement, certainly.”

Remarking on potential pushback from Republicans over disparate views held by the lifetime Democrat, Trump said, “I like smart people, and Republicans like me.”

As had been reported, Shanahan had told fellow entrepreneur Tom Bilyeu on his “Impact Theory” podcast, “There’s two options that we’re looking at and one is staying in, forming that new party, but we run the risk of a Kamala Harris and Walz presidency because we draw votes from Trump — we draw somehow more votes from Trump.”

“Or we walk away right now and join forces with Donald Trump and, you know, we walk away from that and explain to our base why we’re making this decision,” she said, prompting buzz at the possibility.

While not addressing specific plans, Kennedy posted to X after his running mate’s remarks and said in part, “As always, I am willing to talk with leaders of any political party to further the goals I have served for 40 years in my career and in this campaign.”

Polling from the New York Times/Siena College supported Shanahan’s assertion that an endorsement of Trump would favor the GOP ticket as 41% of swing state voters in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin indicated they would follow Kennedy to back the president while only 27% would shift to Harris and 33% remained undecided. Meanwhile, in polling for Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and North Carolina, Trump eked out Harris by one point with Kennedy remaining in the race as they split the vote 44-43-6.

Demonstrating the voters were aligning with the sentiment that the critical issue was preventing Harris from being elected president, actor and comedian Rob Schneider, a vocal supporter of Kennedy, posted a statement asserting “The choice has never been more clear…”

“I know that @RobertKennedyJr will ALWAYS do what is in the best interests of our great Nation and to help EVERY American be included in the American dream; being able to own a home, afford to take care of their family, to be able to afford to get and stay healthy, to be able to buy food that isn’t toxic, breath clean air and for every American to be able to Vote for the candidate of their choice,” wrote Schneider. “It has been my great honor to support Robert Kennedy Jr. for President as he traveled around our great Nation and talked to so many Americans about what really matters to all of us: to continue to live in the Freest country on earth.”

Earning a “Love you Rob!” from the candidate, the “Saturday Night Live” alum continued, “The corrupt Democratic Party establishment does NOT want Americans to have a choice of who they want for President. Much like the Soviet Politburo, there is no Voting, they just appoint the next leader. The Democrats have used every trick and spent millions of dollars using Lawfare to prevent RFKjr from getting on the ballot and on the debate stage. They have succeeded in running out the clock to avoid any 3rd party opposition. So I believe now is the time to make a choice. The choice has never been more clear…”

Kevin Haggerty
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