Kennedy’s nephew wants to run for president from outside the party

The nephew of former US President John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, no longer wants to run for the Democratic Party as a presidential candidate, but instead wants to enter the race as an independent candidate. “I am here to declare myself an independent candidate for president of the United States,” the 69-year-old told supporters in Philadelphia on Monday. The self-proclaimed anti-vax activist has been widely criticized by Democrats and other members of his family for spreading conspiracy myths and his connections with far-right politicians.

Kennedy must now try to meet the requirements in all 50 states on his own to get on the ballot. In the United States, nominations not tied to one party are considered hopeless – however, in often close elections for the White House, they can deprive Democratic and Republican candidates of decisive proportions.

It is clear that Democrats consider President Joe Biden (80 years old) the most promising candidate to win the primary elections. Writer Marianne Williamson, 71, also wants to run for the party, but is considered completely hopeless. Among Republicans, Biden’s predecessor, Donald Trump (77 years old), leads by a large margin in opinion polls. Theologian and philosopher Cornel West also wants to run as an independent. (DAP/EPA)