In the first indication of just how desperate Democrats are for a 2024 presidential nominee not named Joe Biden, a new election survey found that a majority support Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s plan to get in the race on Patriot’s Day.
Kennedy’s candidacy is supported by 52% of Democrats, just 32% are opposed, and 16% aren’t sure, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports survey.
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That could be viewed as remarkable for RFK and damning for Biden since Kennedy has been mocked and marginalized by legacy media for questioning COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
But he has not only survived the onslaught but has solid support. In the survey, Rasmussen said that half of his support was “strong.”
The survey was muddy on what Democrats really want. Some 62% said that Biden should run again. And an equal 62% said other Democrats should challenge him.
Among all likely voters — Democrats, Republicans, and independents — just 39% said Biden “should” run for reelection. And 66% said other Democrats “should” run against him in the primaries.
This week, during an interview with Today show weatherman Al Roker, who helped host the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, Biden again said he plans to run for reelection. He hasn’t set a date to announce.
The last time an unpopular incumbent Democratic president was challenged was in 1980 when Jimmy Carter held the Oval Office. The challenger was also a Kennedy, the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.
Dozens of polls have shown that Democrats want somebody to challenge Biden, seen as too old and unable to push through his agenda.
Biden this week is in Ireland. On his trip over, he called Ethel Kennedy, RFK Jr.’s mother, to wish her a happy 95th birthday.
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