Just when the Harris/Waltz campaign was hoping for a thin victory at last week's Democratic National Convention, real drama erupted, turning the nation's attention back to Republican candidate Donald Trump. Rumors had been swirling for days that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. might drop his independent bid for the White House and endorse Donald Trump, and on Friday he did just that.
In a powerful speech explaining his decision, RFK Jr. made it clear that it was difficult to end his candidacy, as well as to leave the Democratic Party, which for decades had been almost synonymous with the name “Kennedy.” In both issues, RFK Jr. explained, he put principles and values ​​above partisanship and the nonsense that has increasingly characterized American electoral politics.
As much of American society becomes “polarized” along party lines, the rest of us seem increasingly blind to the differences between them when it comes to actual policy. Both parties support war and the welfare state. Both pursue policies that lead to poverty and war, not peace and prosperity. Both believe the Federal Reserve can effectively manage the economy while we accumulate unimaginable levels of debt.
Americans want authenticity, they want politicians who will put principles above party, and last Friday, Kennedy Jr. did just that. Speaking at a Trump rally, he harshly criticized Democrats for their support of endless wars.
He said: “Judging by the combative and pugnacious speech she gave in Chicago last night, I can assume that Harris will enthusiastically support this and other neocon military adventures. President Trump has said that as soon as he takes office he will resume negotiations with Putin and end the war overnight. This alone is reason enough for me to support his campaign.”
This was a targeted blow against the Biden/Harris administration, which has ignited many conflicts overseas while masquerading as pursuing peace.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, speaking at the Democratic National Convention, claimed that VP Harris is “working tirelessly” toward a literal ceasefire in Gaza, even as the Biden/Harris administration announces yet another massive shipment of bombs that the Israeli military will use to kill even more Palestinians.
What can we expect from RFK Jr.'s bold move? First, we should expect that he will be able to reduce the overall power of political parties by expressing his support for principles rather than hollow partisanship. Already, a “new generation” is emerging within the Republican Party that is ready to break the stranglehold of the tired neoconservatives on the party.
So does RFK Jr.'s endorsement of Trump on principle, not party, mean we finally have a “peace candidate” to support? The short answer is no, we don't have one. Many of us who hoped that Trump's first presidency would be that peace candidate were disappointed to see the administration littered with figures like John Bolton and Mike Pompeo. There's always the chance that those mistakes will be repeated. And neither Trump nor RFK seem reliably in favor of an end to the slaughter in Gaza.
So this is not a “peace ticket.” But at least from the actions of Presidents Kennedy and Trump last week, we have a sense that peace is on the menu. This is a start.
Ron Paul is a former U.S. Congressman from Texas. This article originally appeared on the Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity and is reprinted here with permission.
