Kennedy clan? That is something that has not been part of the political lexicon for a generation or two. Seeing so many of them on stage, the most striking impression was how few are known to the public. I would say … oh … maybe … none. There were no household names among those who gathered on stage with President Biden – no prominent politicians or prospects. As a “political family” they seem more like the Roosevelts and the Bushes – political clans remembered more in terms of history than current events.
In fact, they would have remained in the shadow of modern life were it not for one of them, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., deciding to run for President of the United States. The Kennedy clan gathered in the spotlight not to give a kith and kin endorsement to their own, but to give it to his opponent, President Biden.
Unlike the old days, RFK. Jr. was not the heir apparent – the next in line to naturally assume high office and the presidency. The last opportunity for a Kennedy clan President died when Senator Ted Kennedy drove off the Chappaquiddick bridge, killing a young intern named Mary Jo Kopechne. A few of the progeny held lesser offices and others failed in such bids. They then vanished from the political firmament like the last few sparks of Fourth of July fireworks.
When RFK, Jr. announced his plans to run for President, he was well aware of his lack of support among his family members. He said he respected their decision. He was particularly careful not to run on the legacy of his Uncle Jack or his dad.
Allowing the family’s unhappiness with RFK, Jr. to seep out in sidebar news stories was not enough for the clan. Rather they decided to gather together and officially endorse Biden.
The endorsement oratory had the ring of a convention nominating speeches wrapped in allusions and reminiscences of the political Camelot of 60 years past. The effort was led by Kerry Kennedy – the younger sister of RFK, Jr., who appears to have the same speech affliction as her brother.
So it is that RFK, Jr. makes a run for President of the United States. Not by picking up the mantle of the Kennedy clan, but in defiance to it. He is not running as a Democrat, but against the Democrat in the race. His prospect of becoming President is miniscule compared to Jack, Bobby and Teddy in their moments of ascendency.
But RFK, Jr. is having an impact — and this is why the clan gathered. By all measures, RFK, Jr. is taking votes away from Biden. I suspect that is even more evident in Biden’s internal campaign polling. That would explain the amount of money and effort the Biden campaign has been spending on trying to knock RFK, Jr. off state ballots … trying to undermine his candidacy among voters … and why the family endorsement of Biden was put on the center stage.
In terms of political imagery, the gathering of the Kennedy clan appeared more like a reunion of the Addams Family – and I am not referring to John and John Quincy. (And yes, I know the names are not spelled the same.) They are a thing of the past.
For his part, Biden tied himself to the Kennedy legacy – claiming that it was Bobby Kennedy’s words in the 1960s that inspired him to public office. (Personally, I think that is pure political malarky from the master of political malarky,) On the back side, that also alluded to Biden’s age and just how long the man has been on the public payroll.
The most relevant question is: Will the endorsement make a difference?
I think not. Most of the younger voters whom Biden needs to reach have little memory – and even less interest – in the opinion of ancestors of ancient history figures. In my opinion, JFK, Jr. is not garnering between 10 and 20 percent of the voters in various states because he is the son of Senator Robert F. Kennedy. He is winning votes because he is an interesting alternative to two widely disliked candidates – and addresses issues the two major contenders dare not raise. In another time, RFK, Jr. could have been a credible candidate. But for now, he is the lightning rod for disaffected voters – and there are a lot of them in this election cycle.
In terms of impact – to quote Shakespear – the endorsement was “all sound and fury, signifying nothing.”
So, there ‘tis.