BOSTON — The apparent scion of the Kennedy political family is a good man whose heart is in the right place, according to the person ostensibly running against him for the White House in 2024, former President Donald Trump.
Kennedy, arguably the dark horse candidate for the Democratic nomination, was the closing topic of conversation for the former president when he joined Radio Hall of Famer and Boston Herald columnist Howie Carr for a brief interview Monday.
“Just hang in,” Trump advised his potential opponent, before praising the man. “He’s been very nice to me, I’ve actually had a very nice relationship with him over the years. He’s a very smart guy, and a good guy.”
Trump is by far and away the leading candidate in the Republican field, consistently polling more than twice what any other conservative White House hopeful can claim.
Kennedy, on the other hand, has the benefit of name recognition but is without support in the party he courts for the nomination. The mass of Democrats have lined up behind President Joe Biden’s second bid at the presidency, a fact reflected in the public statements of elected officials and polling.
Trump said he hasn’t spoken to the son of former Attorney General and Senator from New York Bobby Kennedy since the Democrat announced his campaign for 2024, but that he would given the opportunity.
“He’s a common sense guy and so am I. So, whether you’re conservative or liberal, common sense is common sense,” Trump said. “A lot of what I run on is common sense.”
“He’s doing really well, I saw a poll, he’s at 22. That’s pretty good! That’s pretty good, doing very well,” the former president said.
It’s fair to wonder why the 45th President would have anything positive to say about a Democrat who allegedly aims to eventually win against him.
Part of the reason may be strategic.
According to reporting, Kennedy’s run against Biden is being funded in part by a super PAC called “Heal the Divide” which is apparently affiliated with Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene, a staunch Trump ally.
Conservative activist Roger Stone, who Trump pardoned for allegedly lying to Congress, said Kennedy’s campaign will “soften up” Biden’s eventual run against the Republican nominee.
Former Trump White House Strategist Steve Bannon, according to CBS News, spent months encouraging Kennedy to run.
--------
