!!
-
Recently Browsing 0 members
- No registered users viewing this page.
Announcements
-
Topics
-
Latest posts...
-
0
Trump says he’s “very honored” by RFK Jr. endorsement
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has suspended his independent campaign for the U.S. presidency and thrown his support behind former President Donald Trump. This unexpected endorsement comes as a significant twist in the run-up to the 2024 election, particularly given Kennedy’s deep roots in the Democratic Party and his iconic family’s legacy. Kennedy’s announcement came with the news that he would seek to remove his name from the ballot in ten key battleground states, signaling a clear intent to consolidate support behind Trump. At a rally in Glendale, Arizona, Trump praised Kennedy, calling him "phenomenal" and "brilliant," as he welcomed him on stage. In contrast, Democratic rival Kamala Harris responded to the development by stating her intention to "earn" the support of Kennedy voters, recognizing the potential impact this endorsement could have on the election. Kennedy’s campaign had initially garnered significant attention and support, with polling figures reaching double digits at one point. However, as funds dwindled and national coverage waned, his numbers began to slump. The once-promising independent campaign struggled to maintain its momentum, particularly as November’s election loomed closer. As the son of U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. hails from one of the most revered families in Democratic politics. His decision to back a Republican candidate for the White House has outraged many of his relatives. Earlier in the year, they had already condemned his invocation of the family name in a Super Bowl advertisement. Kerry Kennedy, his sister, expressed her dismay by describing his support for Trump as a "betrayal of the values that our father and our family hold most dear. It is a sad ending to a sad story." The personal toll of this decision was evident in Kennedy’s remarks on Friday. He acknowledged the difficulties it caused for his family, stating, "This decision is agonizing for me because of the difficulties it causes my wife and my children and my friends. But I have the certainty that this is what I’m meant to do. And that certainty gives me internal peace, even in storms." His wife, Cheryl Hines, known for her role in HBO’s comedy "Curb Your Enthusiasm," publicly expressed her respect for his decision to suspend the campaign but chose not to comment on his endorsement of Trump. Kennedy’s alignment with Trump seems to stem from shared views on several key issues. He highlighted Trump’s insistence that he could end the war in Ukraine through negotiations with Russia as a significant factor in his decision. "That alone would justify my support for his campaign," Kennedy told reporters on Friday. However, he also acknowledged that there remain "many issues and approaches on which we continue to have very serious differences. But we are aligned on other key issues." One of Kennedy’s immediate actions following the endorsement was his decision to remove his name from ballots in ten states where his presence might act as a "spoiler" to Trump’s campaign. He has already withdrawn from battleground states like Arizona and Pennsylvania, though election officials have noted that it is too late for him to pull out from swing states like Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin. Kennedy’s political journey has been a complex one. He launched his campaign in April 2023 as a Democrat, following in the footsteps of his father and uncle, who were champions of the Constitution. However, his disenchantment with the Democratic Party grew over time, leading him to accuse the party of becoming one of "war, censorship, corruption, big pharma, big tech, big money." His decision to suspend the campaign was attributed to what he described as "media control" and the party’s efforts to thwart his run. "In my heart, I no longer believe I have a realistic path to victory in the face of relentless and systematic censorship," Kennedy lamented. At the height of his popularity, Kennedy hovered around 14% to 16% in polls. However, his ratings have since plummeted to single digits, particularly after Kamala Harris was confirmed as the Democratic nominee. Despite this, Kennedy had offered to work with Harris in her bid for the White House, though it appears that this collaboration will not materialize. The Democratic Party has largely shrugged off Kennedy’s endorsement of Trump. Mary Beth Cahill, a senior adviser to the Democratic National Committee, remarked, "Donald Trump isn’t earning an endorsement that’s going to help build support, he’s inheriting the baggage of a failed fringe candidate. Good riddance." This response underscores the broader party’s belief that Kennedy’s decision will not significantly alter the election’s outcome. Throughout his campaign, Kennedy became closely associated with the anti-vaccine movement, frequently touting his leadership of the Children’s Health Defense organization, which was formerly known as the World Mercury Project. His controversial views on vaccines and other health issues have been a defining feature of his political identity. In recent weeks, Kennedy has made headlines for a variety of reasons, including recounting a bizarre incident in which he dumped a dead bear cub that had been hit by a car in New York’s Central Park in 2014 as a joke. Earlier in his campaign, it was revealed that he had suffered from a brain parasite over a decade ago, which caused severe memory loss and brain fog. These stories have contributed to the perception of Kennedy as a somewhat eccentric figure in the political arena. The rumors that preceded Kennedy’s endorsement of Trump suggested that he might be seeking a role in Trump’s potential future administration. Trump himself hinted at this possibility during an interview with CNN, where he stated that he would "certainly be open" to Kennedy playing a role. Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., even suggested that Kennedy would be well-suited to "blow up" a federal department. Merrill Matthews, a resident scholar with the conservative Institute for Policy Innovation, offered a broader perspective on Kennedy’s decision, highlighting the difficulties inherent in the U.S. two-party system. "It shows how difficult it is to get new ideas and fresh people into the process," Matthews told the BBC. This observation reflects the broader challenges faced by independent candidates in a political system that is heavily dominated by the Democratic and Republican parties. In an interview with Dr. Phil that aired on Friday night, Trump expressed his gratitude for Kennedy’s endorsement, calling it a significant moment. "I’m very honored by it," Trump said. "I’ve known him for a long time, we’ve been somewhat friendly, actually, and I think he’s going to be a great asset." Trump also floated the idea of appointing Kennedy to a role in his administration, should he win the election, though he noted that they had not yet discussed any specific position. "I think he adds a lot to the election, and I think he adds a lot to if we win," Trump added, praising Kennedy’s "very interesting ideas and good ideas." During the Arizona rally, Kennedy spoke at length about his shared views with Trump, particularly on foreign policy, government censorship, and "ending the chronic disease epidemic." He recounted how he had met with Trump last month following an assassination attempt and again in Florida weeks later to discuss their common values. "We talked about not the values that separate us, because we don’t agree on everything, but on the values and issues that bind us together," Kennedy said. He emphasized their shared commitment to safe food and ending chronic disease. "Don’t you want a president that’s gonna make America healthy again?" he asked the audience. Trump, in turn, proposed that Kennedy work on a panel to investigate the "decades-long increase in chronic health problems, including autoimmune disorders, autism, obesity, infertility, and many more." This proposal aligns with Kennedy’s long-standing focus on health issues and reflects their shared concern over what they perceive as government and industry failures. Kennedy concluded his remarks without explicitly stating that he was endorsing Trump. However, as he finished speaking, graphics and banners around the arena declared, "RFK Jr. endorses Trump," leaving little doubt about his intentions. This development marks a significant realignment in the 2024 election, one that has left many observers pondering the future of Kennedy’s political career and the broader implications of his endorsement for the race ahead. Credit: BBC | X 2024-08-24 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
2,146
ICE vs EV, the debate thread
If we drive our 20k kms a year locally, and charge as we normally do using excess solar, that saves us 419,200 baht over the 8 yr warranty period. 52.4K baht a year, ICEV vs EV petrol cost alone. Or to put it another way, it will cost the ICEV owner, 419,200 baht to drive 20k kms over 8 years, plus 15 oil changes, and a few full tune-up. And NO ... batteries don't need to be replaced after 8 yrs, and will last 500k-1M kms, at least. A new EV troll, lovely .... Thanks for the chuckle. Have a nice day. -
13
Tragedy in Bangkok: Woman Dies After Livestream Argument
As much evidence as to believe her husband claiming she jumped off. You the jury decide! -
-
-
14
Thaksin's advisor Phumtham tipped to be named defence minister
In a democratic society, it is vital that they appoint individuals who are genuinely qualified for their roles. Cannot afford to place a police officer in charge of the Ministry of Education, an inexperienced person in charge of environmental issues, or someone with ties to organized crime in positions meant to combat such activities. Individuals with a history of criminal activity should also be excluded from government roles to maintain public trust. They need leaders who have the relevant experience or knowledge in their fields. At a minimum, they need proactive and capable individuals who can address the challenges their ministries face effectively. They should be focused on solving problems and advancing policies, rather than merely attending ceremonial functions and making speeches. -
686
-
27
Donald Trump Claims to Be Queen Elizabeth II's Favorite President Amid Controversy
Her Majesty was personally frugal, had a strong personal religious faith, and was driven throughout her long lifetime of service to the country by a strong sense of duty. She rarely no, practically never, made known her personal views on people, or politics. So much in common with Trump! -
-
-
2,146
ICE vs EV, the debate thread
Just for the creative EOW, the graphic actually commenting on MARKET SHARE I think this is what you mistook my last graphic for Oh, what is this I see? Could it be that Toyota's market share has dropped by 34.8% first 6 months of this year to same period last year? By Jove, love a duck, oh my giddy aunt, it certainly is. What an inconvenient fact @ExpatOilWorker wouldn't you say? -
30
-
2,601
Latest developments and discussion of recent events in the Ukraine War
Yes, and Germany too has severe problems to sustain the 8 billion freebies it hands out to Ukraine and has announced it will scale that back to 50 percent less and then one tenth of it. In the US many are questioning the enormous sums poured into Ukraine. It can't continue indefinitely. Resources are limited in the West. -
33
Have any of you felt lost in Thailand at some point in your adventure living here?
In the last 10 years I have not found that the situation has changed much in Thailand unlike in the West where the change for the worse is more noticeable after the Covid years, even if more recently the cost of living has also increased in Thailand and especially on imported products. However, if I had the same family problems I would try to change location in Thailand instead of immigrating to the Philippines which from my experience is a complicated country with too many social problems. -
-
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now