McCarthy claims Biden would have dropped out if he debated RFK Jr.

Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California, expressed the opinion during a recent Fox News appearance that President Biden may have reconsidered his reelection campaign had he faced independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in a debate.

McCarthy asserted that the Democratic Party’s treatment of Kennedy, who was initially a Democratic candidate, demonstrated their unwillingness to include him in formal discussions. He noted that Vice President Kamala Harris, who is seen as a potential successor to Biden, likely would not have secured the party’s nomination if she had faced a competitive primary.

“And think about how the Democratic Party treated him,” McCarthy remarked on “Jesse Watters Primetime.” He added, “They kicked him out. They wouldn’t even let him debate. Had he debated Biden, Biden would have collapsed a year earlier,” suggesting that the public would have recognized Biden’s vulnerabilities sooner.

The former Speaker highlighted that Harris’s candidacy did not go through the rigorous scrutiny of a primary race. He emphasized that her nomination relied on the Democratic establishment’s choices rather than the will of a wider party electorate.

On a related note, Biden recently participated in a debate with Donald Trump that raised further questions about his fitness for office. Many observers noted Biden’s struggle with verbal clarity during the CNN event, raising concerns regarding his age. Following that debate, Biden reportedly faced increasing pressure from within his party, with calls from leaders and donors urging him to reconsider his plans for a second term.

Initially running as a Democrat, Kennedy made headlines when he switched to an independent candidacy in October. However, his poll numbers have since dwindled from previously strong support to single digits. Just this past Friday, he announced his decision to suspend his campaign and endorsed Trump during a rally in Arizona.

McCarthy indicated that Kennedy’s endorsement of Trump could significantly influence outcomes in key battleground states. He pointed out that Biden’s victory had been decided by a narrow margin of fewer than 50,000 votes, asserting that Kennedy’s appeal in the current political landscape could be substantial.

“Joe Biden won by 48,918 votes, and he was polling about nine points higher than where Kamala is polling today. So this could be the election,” he stated, referencing the shifting dynamics as Kennedy joins Trump on the campaign trail.

The former Speaker mentioned the enthusiastic reception Kennedy received at Trump’s Arizona event, underscoring the potential impact he could have on the electorate. “If you’re a Democrat, the Kennedy family is the closest there is to political royalty in that party,” he said, contemplating whether John F. Kennedy would still align with the Democratic Party today given its current platform.

Additionally, McCarthy suggested that Trump should frequently include Kennedy in his campaign strategies, recommending that they travel together regularly. “I think he would enjoy spending some time out there talking to the American public,” he added, emphasizing Kennedy’s knack for connecting with voters.

While McCarthy concluded that Kennedy would not dramatically shift voter sentiment, he maintained that even a small percentage could be decisive in such a tightly contested electoral environment. “I don’t think Kennedy is going to bring you 20 percent, but President Trump doesn’t need 20 percent; he just needs, last time, he only needed less than 50,000 votes,” he remarked.

This election cycle is expected to revolve around critical states like Pennsylvania and Georgia, where small margins could determine the overall outcome. McCarthy pointed out that Kennedy’s presence could attract independent voters, libertarians, and disillusioned Democrats, potentially shaping the election’s direction.

In a tightly contested race, these developments are indicative of the evolving political landscape as both parties prepare for the upcoming vote.

Source: Nexstar Media, Inc.