What would a Kennedy do?
it depends on the Kennedy...
The Kennedy Family is not immune to human nature. They’re on the same uncomfortable growth curves that we’re on. It’s not surprising then that What would a Kennedy do? is not an easy question to answer. Kennedy family members currently assert very different interpretations of their family legacy.
This has all come to the surface again after Robert F. Kennedy Jr announced his decision to suspend his campaign and offer support to Trump’s candidacy.
You can watch his speech here or read it here:
Their differences of opinion, and the way they choose to express them, effectively reflect the current climate in our country.
Here’s how a number of Kennedys express their values on X:
The stakes this November couldn’t be higher, which is exactly why my whole family will be fighting so hard to re-elect Kamala Harris and Coach Walz, who have been champions for the values my family has fought for for years…
I’m outraged and disgusted by my brother’s gaudy and obscene embrace of Donald Trump and I completely disavow and separate and disassociate myself from Robert Kennedy Jr. and his flagrant inexplicable effort to desecrate and set fire to my father’s memory.
And apparently, some feel that RFKJr’s wife must also denounce him to remain in the good graces of The Party…
Chairman Mao would be delighted by all of this.
And it’s certainly not behavior that’s limited to this family. The division is everywhere and character assassination seems to be a popular way of expressing differences.
Fortunately, Bobby Kennedy Jr. seems to understand how the little picture reflects the bigger picture and vice versa. Currently, his family is a reflection of many families and communities in this country. This I believe is why he seeks to “Heal the Divide” on multiple fronts.
I don’t act out of anger or revenge or resentment. It’s a bad motivation. It’s like swallowing poison and hoping someone else will die… I’m very pragmatic and practical and I’m focused on one thing, which is how do we restore the health of our children…
… My family is at the center of the Democratic Party. I have five members of my family that are working for the Biden Administration… I understand that they’re troubled by my decisions, but I love my family. I feel like we were raised in a milieu where we were encouraged to debate each other and debate ferociously and passionately about things, but to still love each other, so they’re free to take their positions on these issues. There are many, many members of my family who are working on my campaign, who are supporting me. I have a very big family. There's a few of them that are troubled, but I think we all need to be able to disagree with each other and still love each other.”
Dr. Richard Fleming offers some additional insight on the Kennedy legacy:
Good morning. We are broadcasting this morning the announcement of Senator Robert F. Kennedy of New York, that he will be a candidate for the presidency… The senator is doing so in almost solid opposition from the Democratic Party professionals and the State Chairman of the Democratic Party of this country. Only 3 state chairmen - New York, Oregon and Tennessee - have come out in favor of Mr. Kennedy’s candidacy. He’s also making the announcement in the opposition of thousands of young democrats who claim that Kennedy has become an opportunist trying to cash in on the courage of Eugene McCarthy, who was the successful candidate in the New Hampshire primary, at least successful in terms of indicating the great feeling that exists in the country against Lyndon Johnson…
You can listen to Robert F. Kennedy Sr’s speech and decide for yourself whose beliefs and behavior best model the values of the Kennedy family.
Or more importantly, yours.
I have noticed how outspoken his family has been against him. It really sounds vicious on the family's side. Also, I don't see a mix of opinion in his family outside of his own. It seems to be very trendy for liberals to be openly vicious as a form of virtue signaling. But, you know, what should I expect from people that support the establishment?
These people disgust me. Caroline Kennedy’s dingbat son has been dissing Kennedy on social media for months—his mother works for Biden. He should probably point that out. There is something really loathsome about this spectacle. It would be one thing to say we don’t agree with him, but the vitriol and lack of familial goodwill is disturbing.