In a surprising move, independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. proposed a “no spoiler” agreement to President Joe Biden during a news conference in Brooklyn on Wednesday.
The 70-year-old Kennedy suggested that his campaign should join with Biden to co-fund a 50-state poll of 30,000 likely voters in October to determine which candidate is the true “spoiler” who would ensure a victory for former President Donald Trump by remaining in the race.
The candidate deemed least likely to defeat Trump would then drop out, according to the pledge.
Kennedy emphasized that the goal is for Americans to vote out of hope rather than fear, and that this can only happen in a two-way race between himself and either Trump or Biden.
“To be a spoiler, a candidate has to fulfill two requirements — first, they must not be able to win themselves, and, second, by participating in the election, they must prevent someone else from winning who otherwise would,” Kennedy explained.
The Kennedy campaign cited a 50-state poll conducted by John Zogby Strategies, which polled over 26,000 people and indicated that Kennedy would win against both Biden and Trump in a two-way race.
Take a look at the poll’s findings —
The Democratic National Committee quickly dismissed Kennedy’s proposal. Spokesperson Matt Corridoni called Kennedy a “spoiler” recruited by the MAGA GOP and propped up by Trump’s largest donor.
“Robert F. Kennedy Jr is a spoiler – recruited by the MAGA GOP and propped up by Trump’s largest donor. His ‘Veep’-like performance today does nothing to dispel that notion – it only reinforces how deeply unserious his campaign is,” Corridoni told The New York Post in response to the proposal.
Jeremy Zogby, managing partner of John Zogby Strategies, defended the poll results, stating that Kennedy has been polling well for over a year and has consistently drawn support from both parties.
Zogby also noted that Kennedy is building a substantial coalition across the political landscape.
Kennedy’s campaign manager Amaryllis Kennedy urged Biden to bow out of the race, claiming that the incumbent “can not win” on November 5, whether in a two-way or three-way race.
The Kennedy campaign posted details of the proposed “No Spoiler Pledge” on his website, Kennedy24.com.
If agreed, both candidates would pledge that whomever performs weakest against Trump in a two-man contest will drop out of the presidential race.
No Spoiler Pledge
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Both parties agree to co-fund a 50-state poll in mid-October 2024 of 30,000+ likely voters
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The survey will test the results of a head-to-head race pitting President Biden against President Trump and a second head-to-head race pitting Mr. Kennedy against President Trump.
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Both parties pledge that whomever performs weakest against President Trump in a two-man contest will drop out of the presidential race