SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. drew hundreds of people from across the political spectrum to a rally in Utah’s capital Thursday night, as the political scion crisscrosses the United States in a effort to get to the polls in all 50 states.
Spectators lined up outside SKY nightclub an hour in advance to get good seats, and some told The Post they felt energized enough to get politically involved for the first time in their lives.
“I’m definitely pro-Kennedy,” said Lynn Cleland, who added that some of her Republican friends also agree with the 69-year-old.
“I have never voted independent in my life. Not only am I going to vote, but I have requested to volunteer to get the signatures. I have purchased all the signage. I have never done that and I am 74 years old.”
With less than a year to go until Election Day, the son of the U.S. attorney general and New York senator, and nephew of President John F. Kennedy, is averaging 15.8% national support in a four-way race gangs against President Biden, former President Donald Trump and fellow independent Cornel West, according to RealClearPolitics.
Kennedy’s goal is to get on every state’s ballot and make it to the general election debate stage. Diana Glebova for the NY Post Kennedy supporters spill down the block an hour before the rally in Salt Lake City. Diana Glebova for the NY Post
That figure could be even higher, as a New York Times/Siena College poll of swing-state voters found last month that Kennedy averaged 24% support in a three-way fight against Trump and Biden.
Meanwhile, a July Quinnipiac University poll showed that 47% of Americans would consider a third-party candidate if Trump and Biden were the Republican and Democratic candidates next year.
When questioned by The Post, Kennedy supporters said they were excited or intrigued by his platform, as well as his experience in environmental activism and his skepticism toward vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine.
The location changed several times to accommodate the number of Utahns who registered, according to the Kennedy campaign. Diana Glebova for the NY Post
“It’s a breath of fresh air. I have listened to a lot of political debates and he is the only person I really understood what he says,” said Kelley Tyburski. “I think it’s essential to know who it is that I really connect with. “Values above all.”
Marie Carmel and Lisa Draper said they were drawn to RFK Jr.’s lack of “infighting” with the other candidates and his focus on the middle class.
“This is the first time we’ve done any type of rally, so it’s very important to us,” Carmel said, while Draper noted that this is the first election cycle in which he didn’t want to vote for any of the likely candidates. candidates of the main parties.
Donald Trump leads the Republican primary by more than 40 points over his closest rival, Ron DeSantis. AP
Another rally attendee, Autumn Doyle, told The Post that she was “raised” on the left, but feels she doesn’t fit in with either Republicans or Democrats. For her, Kennedy’s past as an environmental lawyer gives him special points.
“I would say I’m in camp,” he said. “If he appears on the ballot, I would vote for him. Maybe he can convince some members of my family too.”
Another way RFK Jr. could reach voters is by attending the three general election debates scheduled for next fall. If his national support remains above 15%, he would be the first third-party candidate to take the stage since Ross Perot in 1992.
Aleksi Hernandez-Nietling poses with a Kennedy 2024 t-shirt. Diana Glebova for the NY Post
“Absolutely, absolutely, put him on that debate stage,” Aleksi Hernández-Nietling, 22, gushed. “He’s about to show it to the world.”
Noting the size of the crowd, Hernandez-Nietling added, “That’s the energy it’s creating throughout the country. “Just energy, enthusiasm, hope for the future.”
Other aides liked Kennedy’s views but were hesitant to make a full promise a year after the election.
Kennedy argued that “no other candidate is gathering crowds like this other than President Trump.” Diana Glebova for the NY Post
“Loved this guy. I started following him when the pandemic started and he’s been right about everything,” said Dan Brett, who added that he was “testing” Kennedy and had previously voted Republican.
“He really looks at the issues that matter to us,” said Julie Neville, who waited in line an hour before the event started. “I’m delighted that people are coming out of their little bubble because I feel like a lot of people have blinders on.”
Kennedy’s campaign is strategically targeting states with looming voting deadlines and that do not require the candidate to pick the vice president or choose his electors, spokeswoman Stefanie Spear told The Post.
On stage, Kennedy recalled the state of the United States under his late uncle and criticized American interventionism abroad as well as rising inflation at home.
“I draw inspiration from both the Republican and Democratic Parties,” Kennedy told reporters. “I’m attracting more independent candidates than any other candidate.”
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