An NBC News poll suggests that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s independent presidential candidacy could remarkably impact the 2024 election, potentially affecting both former President Trump and President Biden’s prospects at the ballot box.
According to the poll, Trump holds a slight 2-point lead over Biden in a head-to-head matchup. However, when third-party candidates are included, Biden edges ahead, leading Trump by 2 points in a five-way race that also includes Kennedy, independent Cornel West, and Green Party candidate Jill Stein.
In this scenario, Biden garners about 39 percent support, Trump receives 37 percent, and Kennedy captures around 13 percent of the vote.
RFK Jr. (Credits: NBC News)
Interestingly, the poll suggests that Kennedy’s appeal may be stronger among Trump supporters than Biden’s. While 7 percent of Biden supporters switch their allegiance to Kennedy in the expanded field, a larger proportion, 15 percent, of Trump supporters do the same.
Republicans appear to view Kennedy more favorably than Democrats, with 40 percent of GOP voters expressing a positive opinion of him compared to only 16 percent of Democrats. The majority of Democrats, 53 percent, view Kennedy negatively.
Kennedy’s candidacy has drawn scrutiny and attention from both parties, with analysts questioning the potential impact of his unorthodox campaign.
While some polls suggest that Kennedy could hurt Biden’s chances more than Trump’s, the Biden campaign has intensified its anti-Kennedy messaging, highlighting endorsements from the Kennedy family and raising doubts about Kennedy’s stance on key issues such as abortion rights.
Trump Campaign (Credits: Politico)
On the other hand, pro-Trump groups have also seized on Kennedy’s candidacy, using it to rally support and draw attention to controversial statements made by Kennedy on issues like voter ID laws.
Kennedy’s growing media profile, including recent comments about putting the American budget “on blockchain,” has further fueled speculation about his impact on the election.
The NBC News poll, conducted among 1,000 registered voters, underscores the uncertainty surrounding Kennedy’s candidacy and its potential implications for the 2024 election.
