Journalist details RFK Jr.’s appeal to a 'crackpot collection of fascists and anti-progressive leftists'

04 May 2023

So far, President Joe Biden has two Democratic primary challengers for 2024: anti-vaxxer Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and new age self-help guru Marianne Williamson. But most of the Democratic Party, along with its allies, is rallying around Biden's reelection campaign. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) has endorsed Biden and said he has no plans to run for president in 2024.

In an article published by The New Republic on May 4, David Masciotra breaks down the types of people who are welcoming RFK, Jr.'s presidential campaign — describing them as "a bizarre, crackpot coalition of fascists and anti-progressive leftists who are united in a desire to see the American system burn."

"Given that Kennedy's candidacy could weaken Biden and strengthen Donald Trump, it's no wonder far-right figures have embraced him," Masciotra explains. "Alex Jones praised him as a 'good man,' Infowars listener Steve Bannon posited that he would make an 'excellent choice' as Trump's running mate, and Tucker Carlson gave him a fawning interview on the final night of his now-canceled Fox News program, calling him 'one of the most remarkable people' he's ever met."

Masciotra adds, "Kennedy returned the favor, calling Carlson 'breathtakingly courageous' and, in a signal to his conspiracy-frenzied supporters, even speculating that his appearance on Carlson's program was the reason for the host's termination."

The 69-year-old RFK, Jr. comes from Massachusetts' most famous political dynasty; he is the son of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, Sr. (assassinated in 1968), a nephew of President John F. Kennedy, Sr. (assassinated in 1963), and a cousin of John F. Kennedy, Jr. But in recent years, members of the Kennedy family have distanced themselves from his anti-vaxxer views.

Masciotra notes that there has been "praise for" RFK, Jr. "in certain quarters of the far left" but has no kind words for them.

"Any leftist who looks at the Republican Party today yet concludes that the Democratic Party is the bigger threat has to be under the influence of conspiratorial delusions or a tremendous quantity of hallucinogenic drugs," Masciotra argues. "But anyone who pays attention to the alt-media personalities of the anti-progressive left knows that they almost never criticize Republicans; they reserve their vitriol for Democrats."

David Masciotra's full New Republic article continues at this link.

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