As Kennedy Declares His Independence From Political Parties, Voters Declare Theirs
“Today, I declared myself an independent candidate for President of the United States of America,” Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said on a sunny Indigenous People’s Day on the lawn of the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, to a boisterous crowd.
“And more than that,” he continued, “I joined my voice with all the people who are fed up and all the people who are hopeful, to make a new Declaration of Independence for our entire nation.”
Kennedy’s wife, Cheryl Hines, welcomed her husband on stage before the announcement, telling the crowd about the changes she has witnessed while traveling throughout the country with Kennedy. “He draws crowds filled with Democrats, Republicans and independents,” she said. “That tells me that Americans want to work together.”
That was the essence of Kennedy’s message: Americans coming together and rededicating themselves to being one united nation. He highlighted how his supporters are pro-choice and pro-life, climate activists and climate skeptics, vaccinated and unvaccinated. The unifying factor? All are sick and tired of the divisions between the two parties, both of which label the other as the bad guy, Kennedy’s message and promise is to end that divide.
People, young and old, rich and poor, traveled across the country to bear witness to the event.
“I hope he has a good shot with a third-party run,” Steve Weldon told The Kennedy Beacon. He and his wife, Pam Weldon, came all the way from Austin, Texas to witness history in the making.
Steve, who previously supported Trump, but now thinks his ego runs his actions, said that he admires Kennedy for his honesty and the constitutional foundation of his positions.
For Pam, Kennedy at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia was the first rally she had ever attended. “I am so hopeful for Kennedy! I’m totally disillusioned with the two parties, they don't represent the people, they represent the parties and their interests,” she said.
Within his career as a lawyer, Kennedy has defended people. Pam thinks that he will continue that as president.
Ian Grice came to hear the announcement with one main issue on his mind: the housing market. “The average price of a house right now is over 400,000 dollars,” he said. “I want to buy a house within the next ten years and I can't do that with that kind of price.” Grice believes that Kennedy will be able to help young people like him.
He also finds Kennedy appealing because he talks about corruption. “He is truthful and straightforward,” Grice said. “He doesn’t care what the backlash about telling the truth is.”
When asked what he thinks Kennedy’s chances are, and reminded that independent runs have historically been unsuccessful, Grice was upbeat and optimistic.
“It could be different this time,” he said. “Kennedy is a big name, it’s a very beloved family in this country. I think that with a Kennedy leading the charge he could be able to break the two-party system in this country.”
In his speech, Kennedy also said that leaving the Democratic Party was not easy for him. It is the party of his uncles and his father. “It was a painful decision,” Kennedy said.
Bob Wesser, another excited attendee, thinks that Kennedy’s run shows the courage necessary to take the US in a new direction. “We [Americans] have disagreements, and that’s why we need this 100 percent,” he said.
Wesser left the Democratic Party a few years ago. He thinks Kennedy’s announcement will encourage more people to follow suit.
Julia Hill has been interested in Kennedy’s campaign from its start and corralled her brother, Colin, Colin to come with her. “I am not a political person but I’m observing,” Colin said.
For Julia, Biden is too old and Trump has too many indictments against him. Julia believes that an independent run is Kennedy’s only option. “I think he will get a lot more votes now,” she said. “The Democratic Party has been censoring him like crazy.”
“Kennedy seems like a person you can trust, he doesn’t seem like a greedy politician,” Colin added.
During his speech, to loud applause, Kennedy said, “The Democrats are terrified I’ll spoil the election for President Biden. The Republicans fear I’ll spoil it for President Trump. The truth is — they’re both right!”
Emily Swiatek volunteers for grassroots organization, People 4 Kennedy. She came to Philadelphia from Connecticut with her neighbor Linda York.
York is registered as an independent because she wants to vote for whoever she feels like. She thinks that many voters are going to swing for Kennedy.
Swiatek registered as a Democrat so she could vote for Kennedy but now she is happy to switch independent. “I’m always spreading the word of truth and change, that's what we need right now,” Swiatek said.
“I am hoping that he will gain more support and be able to take out some of the voters and end up winning in the long run. A surprise win,” York added.
Originally from the Dominican Republic, José Cross has lived in the US for 30 years. He believes Kennedy will bring much-needed peace to the country. “I think Kennedy is the number one candidate for President in the United States, and also for the people coming from other countries,” he said, referencing the border crisis.
Following Kennedy’s speech, Mark Gorton and Tony Lyons, co-founders and co-chairs of the super PAC, American Values 2024, were elated by the event’s warm vibe.
“I am hoping that this will be the end of the corrupt two-party system in America,” Lyons said. Added Gorton, “I think there’s a lot of people who think that this is a path to victory for him that didn't exist when he was constrained by the Democratic Party which is controlled by insiders who hate him and are threatened by him.”
Lyons thinks that Kennedy’s independent run will launch a peaceful, populistic revolution and end the corporate control of government will be loosened. “Washington is just filled with corrupted lobbyists, representing everybody else except the American people,’ he said.
“People say that Kennedy is dangerous,” Lyons continued. “He is not dangerous to anybody in this crowd, and he’s not dangerous to the American people. He is dangerous to people who are preying on the American people.”
Gorton noted that a lot of Americans still do not know Kennedy is running. He thinks that will change.
“It’s a lot of work for us but it is a doable task,” he said.
Great coverage! I was there on this historic day in Philadelphia and recognize some of the people in this article!
Amazing footage! Glad to have been there that day. Spread the word to everyone to let everyone know who is running... we have 13 months to go before we need to get to 270!! 🇺🇸🔥