Growing up in a proud Irish Catholic middle-class family, Joe Biden's household was all about the Kennedys. They saw them as the epitome of the American Dream: successful, wealthy, and good-looking Irish Catholics. Former senator Ted Kaufman (D-Del.), who was Biden’s longtime chief of staff, explained, “The Kennedys were, as a group, the people he patterned his life after. Not just his political life, but his life.”
So when the Kennedy family threw their support behind Biden in Philadelphia last week, choosing him over their own, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is running as an independent, it was a significant personal win for Biden. The event, which included more than a dozen Kennedy family members, left Biden feeling incredibly moved, especially by Kerry Kennedy's introduction.
Privately, Biden shared with aides that it was one of the best days of his campaign, according to sources familiar with his comments. The public endorsement, particularly Kerry Kennedy’s words, deeply touched Biden. He expressed, “That was the most meaningful introduction I’ve ever gotten in my life, other than when my sister introduced me.”
The Kennedy family's endorsement isn't just personal; it's also politically strategic. With Kennedy Jr.'s independent campaign potentially drawing votes away from Biden, there are concerns among Democrats about the impact on the election's outcome. This worry stems from past experiences, where third-party candidates affected the results in key states, leading to Democratic losses in 2000 and 2016.
For the Kennedys, Kennedy Jr.'s candidacy has been a challenging situation. Initially frustrated by his challenge to Biden for the Democratic nomination, the family largely ignored his campaign, confident that Biden would secure the nomination. However, as an independent candidate gaining ballot access nationwide, the family grew increasingly concerned about his potential to sway the election and tarnish their legacy.
The decision to endorse Biden was not taken lightly within the Kennedy family. Despite disagreements with Kennedy Jr.'s views, the family emphasized their unity and love for each other. They carefully framed their endorsement of Biden as a reflection of the reality that only Biden or former president Trump could win the election, given the dynamics of the race.
The bond between Biden and the Kennedys runs deep. After Biden faced immense personal tragedy with the death of his wife and daughter in 1972, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) and others convinced him to stay in the Senate. Kennedy became a mentor and close friend to Biden, helping him through the darkest times.
Today, several Kennedys work in Biden’s administration, including Caroline Kennedy and Victoria Reggie Kennedy as ambassadors. The Kennedys' endorsement event for Biden in Philadelphia was a significant undertaking, reflecting their desire to publicly support him. Many family members participated in campaign activities afterward, further demonstrating their commitment.
Despite their endorsement of Biden, Kennedy Jr.'s presidential campaign was not discussed during the family's recent visit to the White House. Instead, the focus was on their shared love for politics, the country, and Ireland. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend summed it up, saying, “We have a wonderful connection to Joe Biden. We love politics. We love this country. We love Ireland.”
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