As Joe Biden made his way to the microphone during a St. Patrick’s Day brunch at the White House’s East Room, his acknowledgment of prominent figures in the crowd sent a clear message.
Ireland’s prime minister and several members of the Kennedy family, including Joe III, Kerry, and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, were among those singled out.
The significance of these gestures was not lost, as they underscored the family’s support for Biden amid a potential challenge from a rogue vaccine-skeptic brother running for president as an independent.
The public display of solidarity with Biden is just one aspect of a broader effort within the Democratic Party to address the emergence of third-party candidates.
Recently, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) has established a dedicated unit to monitor and respond to third-party campaigns.
Led by seasoned operatives, this initiative aims to coordinate efforts to minimize the political influence of third-party candidates, particularly those perceived as potential spoilers in a Biden versus Trump rematch.
Simultaneously, a super PAC named Clear Choice, spearheaded by former Biden deputy campaign manager Pete Kavanaugh has been launched to coordinate liberal efforts to counter the impact of third-party candidates.
Rather than launching a negative ad campaign, the focus is on organizing legal challenges to third-party campaigns’ attempts to secure ballot access and conducting research into their backgrounds.
The shift in focus towards independent and third-party campaigns, particularly that of Kennedy, has been driven by longstanding concerns within the Democratic Party. Leading Democrats believe that Kennedy’s candidacy could siphon support away from Biden, potentially benefiting Trump.
Efforts to challenge Kennedy’s petitions to get on ballots in key states are already underway, reflecting the urgency with which Democrats are addressing this threat.
Other Democratic-aligned groups have mirrored the DNC’s legal actions against Kennedy, including allegations of illegal coordination with his super PAC. American Bridge, a Democrat-aligned super PAC, also researches third-party candidates’ backgrounds.
Additionally, Citizens to Save Our Republic, a group led by influential figures like Dick Gephardt, has aired television ads warning against third-party spoilers.
Despite these efforts, the threat posed by third-party candidates remains a concern for Biden’s allies. The objective is to frame the election as a clear binary choice between Biden and Trump, aiming to tie Kennedy to the latter.
However, some party leaders recognize the need to reach out to progressive voters who may be inclined to support candidates like Stein or West to counter Biden’s opponents.
As the campaign nears its end, the Democratic Party encounters the task of maneuvering through the intricate dynamics of third-party politics while maintaining its primary goal: ensuring success for Biden in a potential rematch against Trump.
The involvement of prominent figures like the Kennedys underscores the high stakes and the determination to minimize any factors that could jeopardize Biden’s prospects for re-election.
