CNN
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s working mate Nicole Shanahan stated the Kennedy marketing campaign is contemplating dropping out of the race and endorsing former President Donald Trump whereas framing the selection by means of her hope of decreasing “the danger” of Vice President Kamala Harris changing into president.
In an interview with podcast host Tom Bilyeu posted on Tuesday, Shanahan acknowledged the Kennedy marketing campaign’s recent conversations with the Trump marketing campaign, which have centered on the potential for Kennedy endorsing Trump in trade for a job in Trump’s administration ought to he win. She framed the choice on whether or not to endorse Trump round its affect on Harris’ possibilities of victory in November, arguing Kennedy pulls extra votes from Trump than from Harris.
“There’s two choices that we’re taking a look at, and one is staying in, forming that new celebration, however we run the danger of a Kamala Harris — Kamala Harris and (Tim) Walz presidency. As a result of we draw votes from Trump, or we draw one way or the other extra votes from Trump,” she stated. “Or we stroll away proper now and be part of forces with — with Donald Trump.”
Shanahan weighed the selection to remain within the race by means of an identical framework elsewhere within the podcast, debating whether or not Trump’s openness to points core to the Kennedy marketing campaign, significantly vaccine efficacy and security, make endorsing Trump a extra interesting choice than “the danger” of Harris profitable.
“The query is … is the danger of a Harris-Walz presidency price us staying in? And that’s the query we now have to ask ourselves proper now,” she stated.
When requested in regards to the position Kennedy might play in a future Trump administration, Shanahan speculated that her working mate could also be open to taking a job as secretary of well being and human companies in a future administration, and stated she has “excessive hopes” he’ll be capable of oversee the division.
Shanahan’s feedback come after Kennedy’s conversations with Trump final month raised questions on the way forward for his marketing campaign after it was reported the 2 had mentioned Kennedy dropping out and endorsing Trump. On the time, Kennedy insisted he was not dropping out of the race.
But Kennedy stays far behind Trump and Harris in state and nationwide polls and has failed to realize floor since Harris took excessive of the Democratic ticket in July. A Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos poll performed earlier this month discovered Harris at 47% help, Trump at 44% and Kennedy at 5%.
When requested for remark about Shanahan’s remarks, the Kennedy marketing campaign directed CNN to a social media put up from Kennedy on Tuesday, which read in part, “As at all times, I’m prepared to speak with leaders of any political celebration to additional the targets I’ve served for 40 years in my profession and on this marketing campaign.”
Shanahan famous at a number of factors within the interview that Kennedy doesn’t have a transparent path to victory, whilst she held out hope for “some miracle” that will enable them to qualify for ABC Information’ presidential debate on September 10. Shanahan blamed opposition from Democratic teams, together with the Democratic Nationwide Committee, for undermining their marketing campaign which “turned us right into a spoiler.”
Whereas Shanahan denied the Kennedy marketing campaign is having conversations with Harris about the potential for endorsing her marketing campaign, she appeared to confirm reporting from CNN and different retailers that Kennedy had tried to fulfill with Harris. CNN has beforehand reported the Kennedy marketing campaign had reached out to the Harris marketing campaign to rearrange a gathering to debate the potential for a Kennedy endorsement in trade for a place in her administration.
“Positively not in talks with Harris. Positively by no means have introduced up this concept of an endorsement with Harris. Positively have by no means introduced up a cupboard place with Harris,” she stated. “You recognize, that being stated, we now have supplied to speak to all people about what your insurance policies are, who’s going to be in your cupboard. Do you wish to hear any of our takes on coverage and what may work?”
Shanahan’s feedback appeared to shock some Kennedy supporters as clips from the interview circulated on social media. One vocal Kennedy backer, Michigan resident Bryce Lipscomb, stated in a social media put up he feels “deserted” by the marketing campaign after volunteering for it earlier this yr.
“I’ve put a substantial amount of time & cash into your marketing campaign,” he wrote in a put up that has since been deleted. “Proper now I really feel taken benefit of.”
DNC communications advisor Lis Smith stated Shanahan’s feedback lend credence to their declare that Kennedy’s marketing campaign is a spoiler to profit Trump.
“From the start of this race, we’ve stated that RFK Jr. is nothing greater than a spoiler for Donald Trump, and we’re glad that his working mate is lastly admitting it,” she stated.