What resulted was a marked shift in the best way Republicans and the appropriate talked about Kennedy.
In current days, the Republican Nationwide Committee described Kennedy as “simply one other excessive Democrat on the far left,” whereas detailing 23 explanation why Republicans ought to oppose him. RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel mentioned Kennedy is a “typical liberal elitist, and voters won’t be fooled.” The Trump marketing campaign has additionally made clear that it fears the doubtless spoiler nomination of Kennedy, who is much extra well-liked amongst Republicans than Democrats.
“Voters shouldn’t be fooled by anybody who pretends to have conservative values,” Trump spokesman Stephen Cheung mentioned in an announcement. He added, “Kennedy’s nomination is nothing greater than an arrogance undertaking for the liberal Kennedy to capitalize on his household identify.”
It is a far cry from how the appropriate – and even Trump himself – as soon as spoke of Kennedy. To the extent that MAGA voters are “fooled” into believing he’s one in every of them, Republicans will take the blame themselves.
Whereas Republicans now painting Kennedy as an opportunist and extremist, Trump in late June He emphasized Kennedy’s character and “common sense.”
“He is a really sensible man, man,” Trump mentioned, including: “He is an excellent man, and his coronary heart is in the appropriate place.”
“He is a person of widespread sense, and so am I,” Trump mentioned. “So, whether or not you are conservative or liberal, widespread sense is widespread sense.”
Whereas they now recommend that Kennedy is persona non grata for conservative voters, key strategists aligned with Trump, together with Stephen Okay. Bannon and Roger Stone have pushed Kennedy as a possible operating mate for Trump.
Stone in April described the Trump-Kennedy ticket as “Dream ticket“Whereas Bannon mentioned two months in the past that this is able to result in”Massive landslideIn favor of Trump.
Bannon even Kennedy’s more liberal views were described as “irrelevant” Within the broader context.
“I perceive that he would not have insurance policies on life and weapons which can be completely excellent and MAGA-compliant — there isn’t any doubt about that — however he does speak concerning the central points going through the nation, like Donald Trump, and that is why others are,” Bannon mentioned in June, referring to the slogan. Trump “Make America Nice Once more.”
That is how Republicans usually talked about Kennedy — acknowledging the methods by which he departed from the Republican Celebration however downplaying them.
The opposite main contender for the GOP presidential nomination, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), acknowledged these coverage variations in late July. However he additionally mentioned he would possibly appoint Kennedy to a key place on the Meals and Drug Administration or the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.
One other candidate who has made inroads with MAGA Republicans, Vivek Ramaswamy, has carried out in order nicely He floated Kennedy as a potential running mate.
Bannon and Stone weren’t the one conservative media influencers to reward Kennedy. When Kennedy launched his marketing campaign in April, Tucker Carlson, then a Fox Information host, was launching his marketing campaign It also emphasized Kennedy’s character And align with the MAGA motion on a very powerful points.
“Bobby Kennedy himself just isn’t an extremist. He’s deeply insightful and, above all, trustworthy,” Carlson mentioned, including: “We’re not Democrats, however Bobby Kennedy is among the most outstanding individuals we now have ever met, and we’re honored to have him on our program.” “.
Whereas the Trump marketing campaign now describes Kennedy’s marketing campaign as a “self-importance undertaking,” Carlson assured Kennedy: “He isn’t operating to get wealthy. He is making an attempt to make issues higher.”
Home Republicans additionally invited Kennedy to testify in July — an uncommon invitation for a sitting presidential candidate — and touted him as a severe fighter within the battle in opposition to censorship.
“This is the reason Mr. Kennedy is operating for president — to assist us expose and cease what’s going on,” mentioned Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), now one of many GOP’s main candidates to change into Speaker of the Home.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) added whereas introducing Kennedy: “That’s the reason Mr. Kennedy finds himself receiving the scorn of each the political left and proper as a result of if anybody dares to problem the doctrine of the powers that be, one can be their enemy.
Round that point, the appropriate’s sudden curiosity in Kennedy proved an excessive amount of for not less than one Republican congresswoman. Shortly earlier than the listening to, none aside from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) got here ahead. He urged her party to be slow in its role in embracing it.
“So I agree with Bobby Kennedy on a variety of issues,” she mentioned, citing his stance on vaccines and the CIA. “However I am telling you: I believe there are a variety of Republicans who had been fooled by him. He isn’t a Republican, everybody. He is very a lot a Democrat.”
Now he’s unbiased. Many Republicans may need that they had heeded Greene’s recommendation earlier.